4
4
History
A Charter School
In 1993, California created the Charter School Law which allowed for the creation of 100 innovative schools not limited in scope by the Education Code and
geared to the needs of the community. Charter schools were charged to bring together the school, parents, students and community as part of the education process.
The state required that a charter petition with required elements be written. The charter petition outlined the philosophy and goals of the individual school(s).
The petitions had to be approved by the local school board or county school board and the State Department of Education. (See Mountain Home Charter School in Appendix.)
In California, a charter school is approved for operation in 5-year increments. During that time the school must show that the goals established in the charter are being realized.
Each charter school must have its own site government which oversees operation of the school but is answerable to the governing body which first granted its petition.
The governing body has the power to continue or discontinue operation of the charter school for additional 5 year periods. In early spring of 1994, the staff and parents of
Mountain Home School began the process of creating a charter petition. Although similar to the petitions of earlier home-based charter schools, it was customized to match
the philosophy of parents, students, and staff members. After several drafts and input from the school board, teachers' union and classified employees union, a mandatory parent
meeting was called to review the petition. The parents made and approved several changes. The final petition was approved by the school board in May, 1994. The petition was
then sent to the State Department of Education. It was not acted on until September. Our school became Charter School #63 on September 9, 1994.
Our Philosophy
In early 1994, the staff and parents of Mountain Home School developed a charter to allow for a school which supported home based, personalized learning without the restrictions
imposed on home independent study. These restrictions included the use of state approved textbooks, strict adherence to state curriculum frameworks and district grade level goals
and objectives, curriculum and assignments written by credentialed teachers, and attendance credit based on the quantity, not quality, of work completed by the student. The charter
sought to make adherence to curriculum frameworks and grade level objectives an option, to allow for individualized education, goals, and learning experiences. The charter chose to
recognize the role of the parent as the primary teacher and give the parent more voice and responsibility in the school program.
It is important to understand that although homeschooling parents are given more administrative and curricular freedoms through this public school the charter, which allows for this school,
states that parents have a responsibility to the school beyond that of just teaching their students. In order to maintain the variety of services, educational opportunities, and resources offered,
parent participation in school events, fundraising, classes, school government, routine operational chores, and/or clerical assistance is needed.
A Brief History
1988 - Bass Lake School District establishes the Home Study Program/Independent Study.
1990 - Home School building opens to serve as offices and resource center.
1991 - School status given to Mountain Home School, supporting homeschooling through Independent Study.
1994 - Staff and parents of MHS develop charter petition. Charter approved by the School Board and the State Department of Education.
1999 - School District purchases the Old Proprietor Unfinished Furniture store and MHCS moves into its new facility at 41267 Highway 41.
1999 - MHCS renews it’s charter petition for another five-year period.
2002 - Helped foster the beginning of another charter school, Glacier High School Charter.
2003 - Mountain Home renewed its charter in October for another five years.