By: Tampa Bay Area parents looking for schooling options outside the public realm will have an additional option beginning in August of 2011 when the Winthrop Charter School in Riverview opens its doors.
Although funded by the state, the Winthrop Charter School will act much like a private institution requiring students to wear uniforms and demanding a higher level of accountability from teachers and students than a traditional public school.
This is because the nature of charter schools are very experimental. If they don’t perform like they were projected to, funding gets cut. Sad, but the nature of the game right now.
Open enrollment ended on May 1st, but parents may still put in applications for children from kindergarten through sixth grade. The school will expand into seventh and eighth grade territories beginning in the 2012-2013 school year.
If you’re child does get in, expect an education strongly focused on self-discipline and individual productivity. Winthrop will emphasize the importance of “Character Education” which aims to develop students not only academically, but socially and ethically as well. This includes a personalized approach to learning where the student will map out their own Personalized Education Plan, or P.E.P., stating their goals for each year in these categories.
If this sounds like something you or your child would be interesting, visit the Winthrop Charter School website here for more information.
