15 Year Charter Approved for Outstanding Elementary School

As explained by US Charter Schools: "Charter schools are non sectarian public schools of choice that operate with freedom from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools. The "charter" establishing each such school is a performance contract detailing the school's mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success. The length of time for which charters are granted for 3 -5 years. At the end of the term, the entity granting the charter may renew the school's contract. Charter schools are accountable to their sponsor - usually a state or local school board - to produce positive academic results and adhere to the charter contract. The basic concept of charter schools is that they exercise increased autonomy in return for this accountability."

FLDOE reports that since 1996, the number of charter schools in Florida has grown from 5 to 389 schools. Charter school student enrollment for 2008 - 2009 was well over 100,000 students. Over 400 of those students attend Choices In Learning which serves elementary students in Seminole County. Currently in its 8th year in Longwood, Choices In Learning has continued to thrive through two earlier charter approvals of 3 years and 5 years each. According to Florida law it is now eligible for and has been granted the renewal for the next 15 years based upon its ongoing record of high student achievement and financial stability. Choices In Learning continues to celebrate its "A" rating by the State of Florida with an outstanding one-year gain of 114 points in the Florida school grading system for 2008.