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5 Charter Schools Up For Vote

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By MARILYN BROWN

mbrown@tampatrib.com

Published: November 14, 2008

TAMPA - Hillsborough County parents are looking at an array of expanded school options with eight new charter schools planning to open in August.

Five charters, including a high school for struggling students and another for those who prefer a nontraditional path, are being recommended by district staff for school board approval Tuesday. Another three were approved for this school year but delayed opening until 2009-10.

"Parents are going to have more options, quality options," said Jenna Hodgens, supervisor of charter schools for the Hillsborough district.

Charter schools are funded by taxpayers but run by private individuals, organizations or government entities. They are free from many state and local regulations but must comply with federal laws and state health, safety and testing requirements.

Hillsborough now has 26 charter schools serving about 4,800 students. The eight new schools could add 3,656 students if they reach planned capacity.

The five new charter applications being recommended for approval:

• Shiloh Middle School - Planned in the Plant City area to serve 462 students in grades 6-8. The Shiloh Elementary Charter School opened in 2007-08.

• NewPoint Academy - Planning to open in the Brandon area to eventually serve 600 students in grades 9-12 with a nontraditional, technology intensive program focusing on college and career preparation.

• Florida High School for Accelerated Learning - Hillsborough County Campus - Location undetermined; would serve 300 students at risk of dropping out of school in grades 9-12 working toward a high school diploma.

• Valrico Lake Advantage Academy - Planning to open at the north end of Mt. Carmel Road in the Valrico area to serve 982 kindergarten through eighth-grade students with an emphasis on math and science.

• Advantage Academy Middle School - Proposes opening in the Plant City area to serve 462 sixth- through eighth-graders with a focus on math and science.

Those approved that delayed opening until 2009-10 are:

• Imagine Charter School - Planning to open in the Riverview area serving about 300 kindergarten through sixth grade students.

• Taylor Peace Academy - Planning to open on North Dale Mabry Highway in Old Carrollwood, serving 150 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

• Advantage Elementary - Planning to open in the Plant City area serving about 400 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

For information on charter schools, call (813) 272-4049.

Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at (813) 259-8069.

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