Premier Arts and Science Charter School

Premier Arts and Science Charter School is a small, urban, public charter school.[5] The school is located in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. It is one of five public charter schools operating in Dauphin County in 2014.[6] In 2015, the school's enrollment was 186 pupils in grades kindergarten through 5th, with 67.7% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 10% of the pupils receive special education services, while 4% are identified as gifted.[7] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 91% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under No Child Left Behind. The school provides full-day kindergarten.[8] Premier Arts and Science Charter School is a federally designated Title I school.

Premier Arts and Science Charter School
Address
500 North 17th Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
,
Dauphin County
,
Pennsylvania
17103

United States
Information
TypePublic
Foundedinitially approved August 2012[1]
FounderMs Darlene M Smith, Chief Executive Officer
School boardlocally selected members
OversightHarrisburg School District, Pennsylvania Department of Education
Faculty13 teachers
GradesK-5 (2015-16), K-4th (2014-15), K-4th (2013-14), K-3rd (2012-13)
Age5 years old to 11 years old (5th grade)
Number of pupils186 pupils (2015)[2] 138 pupils (2013-14),[3][4]
 • Kindergarten20 (2013)
 • Grade 140 (2013)
 • Grade 240 (2013)
 • Grade 338 (2013)
 • Otherenrollment capped by local school board
LanguageEnglish
Tuitionset by PDE based on student's home district
Websitehttp://www.pascs.net/
School District regions in Dauphin County

In 2014, enrollment at Premier Arts and Science Charter School was 138 pupils in grades kindergarten through 4th, with 79.7% of pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.[9] The school employed 13 teachers.[10] Additionally, 0% of the pupils receive special education services and no pupils were identified as gifted. The school provides full-day kindergarten. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 50% of the school's teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.[11] The students are required to wear a uniform.

In Pennsylvania, charter schools are initially approved and subsequently overseen by the local school board.[12] They make in depth, annual reports to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In Pennsylvania, charter schools are a public school alternative to the traditional, local public schools. Students may seek admission to a local charter school. The Commonwealth bases the funding for charter schools on the principle that the state’s subsidies should follow the students, regardless of whether they choose to attend traditional public schools or charter schools. The Charter School Law also requires that charter schools bill each sending school district on a monthly basis for students attending the charter school.[13] The Harrisburg School District tuition rate was $9,538 in 2014. In 2013, the tuition rate was $10,922.59.[14]

Additionally, when the local school district provides transportation to its students it must also provide transportation at no costs to charter school students, when the receiving school is within 10 miles of the district's borders.[15] Pennsylvania charter schools have the same academic accountability as traditional public schools and must give the PSSAs and Keystone Exams to their pupils each year, working to achieve Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status.[16] The goal is for 100% of the pupils to be reading on grade level and demonstrate on grade level math skills.

According to Pennsylvania Charter School law, if more students apply to attend than there are open slots available, Charter Schools are required to use a random lottery system to select new incoming students.[17] According to the Charter School law, siblings (brothers and sisters), and children of individuals who help establish a charter school, are granted an “admissions preference". Students residing in the Harrisburg School District are selected first, according to the number of slots available for Harrisburg students. If there is space available for more students, seats will be declared open for out-of-District students.[18]

The Capital Area Intermediate Unit IU15 provides the school with a wide variety of services like specialized education for disabled students and hearing, speech and visual disability services and professional development for staff and faculty.

Academics
2015 School Performance Profile

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 23% of fourth graders were on grade level in reading, while 5% showed on grade level math skills. In science, 43% of fourth graders showed on grade level understanding. Among third (3rd) graders, 32% were on grade level in reading and 20% were on grade level in mathematics.[19] In comparison, of pupils who remained in the Harrisburg School District, 15% of fourth graders were on grade level in reading, while 6% showed on grade level math skills. In science, 27% of fourth graders showed on grade level understanding. Among third (3rd) graders, 14% were on grade level in reading and 12% were on grade level in mathematics.

Statewide, Pennsylvania 4th graders were 58.6% on grade level in reading and 44.4% demonstrated on grade level math skills. In science, 77.3% of fourth graders showed on grade level understanding. Among Pennsylvania third (3rd) graders, 62% were reading on grade level, while 48.5% demonstrated on grade level math skills.[20]

2014 School Performance Profile

Premier Arts and Science Charter School achieved 63.1 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading and mathematics. In reading/literature - 60% of third graders were on grade level. In mathematics, 70% showed on grade level skills, with 10% showing advanced skills.[21] The school's achievement far exceeded the reading and math achievement at Harrisburg School District schools.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,134 of 2,947 Pennsylvania public schools (72 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher.[22] Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged.[23][24]

PSSA History

In Pennsylvania, in the spring of each school year, the public school 3rd graders take the PSSAs in math and reading. The fourth grade is tested in reading, math and science. The fifth grade is evaluated in reading, mathematics and writing. Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered beginning 2003 to all Pennsylvania public school students in grades 3rd-8th.[25] The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014.[26][27][28] The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The Science exam is given to 4th grades and includes content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies.[29]

School safety and bullying

The Premier Arts and Science Charter School Board of Trustees has provided the school's antibully policy online in the student Code of Conduct.[30] All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the district must conduct an annual review of that policy with students.[31] The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.[32][33]

Education standards relating to student safety and anti harassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.[34]

History

School advocates initially applied for charter approval to the Harrisburg School District Board in November 2011. The request was denied based on multiple deficiencies cited by the Harrisburg School District administration.[35] In August 2013, the school opened its doors accepting its first students in kindergarten through third grade.

Extracurriculars

Premier Arts and Science Charter School offers several after school activities for children including: Boy Scouts, Drama Club, Reading ROCKS! program, and Art Club.[36]

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References
  1. Eric Veronikis (August 31, 2012). "Harrisburg School Board approves charter school application". Pennlive.com.
  2. Pennsylvania Department of Education (November 4, 2015). "Premier Arts and Science Charter School Performance report fast facts 2014".
  3. Pennsylvania Department of Education (December 5, 2013). "Premier Arts and Science Charter School Performance report fast facts 2014".
  4. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2014). "Charter School Annual Reports and Enrollment Data". Archived from the original on 2015-01-11. Retrieved 2015-01-02.
  5. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2013). "EdNA - Premier Arts and Science Charter School". Archived from the original on 2014-04-07. Retrieved 2015-01-02.
  6. Pennsylvania Department of Education, PA ED DIrectory - Dauphin County Charter Schools, 2014
  7. Pennsylvania Department of Education (November 4, 2015). "Premier Arts and Science Charter School Fast Facts 2015".
  8. Pennsylvania Department of Education, School Performance Profile, Premier Arts and Science Charter School Fast Facts, 2015
  9. Pennsylvania Department of Education, School Performance Profile - Premier Arts and Science Charter School, November 6, 2014
  10. Premier Arts and Science Charter Administration (2014). "Premier Arts and Science Charter School website".
  11. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers Charter School 2014, November 6, 2014
  12. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2014). "Charter Schools".
  13. Pennsylvania General Assembly (July 1, 2002). "24 P.S. § 17-1725-A(a)(5) Charter School Law". Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  14. Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 2013). "Tuition rate Fiscal Year 2013-2014".
  15. Pennsylvania General Assembly (October 1, 2004). "24 P.S. §17-1701-A Charter Schools - Transportation". Archived from the original on September 24, 2015.
  16. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2014). "Charter School Regulations".
  17. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2014). "Summary of Charter School Legislation".
  18. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Premier Arts Charter School Annual Report 2013, 2013
  19. Pennsylvania Department of Education (October 1, 2015). "2015 PSSA School Level Data".
  20. Pennsylvania Department of Education (October 1, 2015). "2015 PSSA State Level Data".
  21. Pennsylvania Department of Education (November 6, 2014). "Premier Arts and Science Charter School Academic Performance Data 2014".
  22. Acting Secretary of Education Carolyn Dumaresq, Acting Secretary of Education Announces Results of 2013-14 School Performance Profile; Strong Performance in 72 Percent of Schools, November 6, 2014
  23. Kathy Boccella; Dylan Purcell & Kristen A. Graham (November 6, 2014). "Pa. school rankings: Downingtown STEM No. 1; Phila. falters". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  24. Jan Murphy (November 6, 2014). "More Pa. school scores decline than improve, state report card shows". Pennlive.com.
  25. Pennsylvania State Board of Education (2003). "PSSA results 2003".
  26. New America Foundation (2003). "No Child Left Behind Overview".
  27. The Goals of No Child Left Behind (Jul 20, 2010). "The Goals of No Child Left Behind". Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  28. Learning Point Associates (220). "Understanding the No Child Left Behind Act" (PDF).
  29. Pennsylvania State Board of Education (January 11, 2003). "Pennsylvania Academic Standards Science and Technology, Ecology and Environment".
  30. Premier Arts and Science Charter School Board of Trustees, Bullying Policy, 2013
  31. Pennsylvania General Assembly (2006). "Regular Session 2007–2008 House Bill 1067, Act 61 Section 6 page 8".
  32. Center for Safe Schools of Pennsylvania (2006). "Bullying Prevention advisory".
  33. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2012). "Bullying, Hazing, and Harassment Resources". Archived from the original on 2011-11-21.
  34. Pennsylvania State Board of Education (January 11, 2003). "Pennsylvania Academic Standards Health, Safety and Physical Education".
  35. Harrisburg School District Board (2012). "Premier Arts and Science Charter School Application Adjudication," (PDF).
  36. Premier Arts and Science Charter School Administration, Premier Arts and Science Charter School Activities, 2014

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