Is the Boggs Educational Center going to be a charter school?
Yes. After extensive research we have found that a charter school will be the most suitable way to provide a free and excellent education to the children of Detroit.
What is the difference between a public school, a charter school, and an independent (private) school?
Funding and management. As part of the Boggs Educational Center’s development, we have explored different funding models. See below.
How is a traditional public school funded?
Local school districts receive a fixed amount of dollars from the state for every student that they enroll. This amount may vary depending on the district in which a school is located. Schools that serve students who receive “free or reduced lunch” are also eligible for federal Title I funding.
How is a charter school (public school academy) funded?
A charter school, or public school academy, also receives per pupil funding from the state and is eligible to received federal Title I funding. Charter schools receive the same amount of dollars per student as the intermediary district in which they are located. For instance, if the Boggs Educational Center were to become a charter school, we would receive state funding that matches the funding that the Detroit Public School receives per student.
How is an independent or parochial (private) school funded?
A private school relies on tuition and donations for funding. Since private schools do not rely on state funding, they can operate outside of many of the regulations and requirements that apply to traditional public schools and public school academies.
So if charter schools and public schools both receive state and federal funds, are they really that different?
The best way to answer this question is to clearly define what it means to be a charter school. Charter schools are nonsectarian 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 varies, but most 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 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. They are accountable for both academic results and fiscal practices to several groups: the sponsor that grants them, the parents who choose them, and the public that funds them.
As public schools, charters are not allowed to charge tuition and are funded according to enrollment. (Adapted from www.uscharterschools.org)
Do you have a building or location?
The Project Team is currently engaged in discussions regarding a viable site on Detroit's East Side.
Will the Boggs Educational Center be an elementary school, middle school or high school?
Initially, we will serve five- through eight-year-olds. We plan on adding an incoming group of five-year-olds each year. At capacity, we will provide educational experiences for students from kindergarten through high school.
When will the Boggs Educational Center open?
We have not currently locked a target date to open the Boggs Educational Center. While we are extremely excited to open, we are also committed to creating a sustainable educational center that delivers our mission and fulfills our vision. There are several logistical steps required to open a school, and we have made significant progress. We want to make certain that the Boggs Educational Center is sustainable and well planned. Building our organizational capacity is prioritized over an expedient launch. That said, we hope to be operating by the 2012/2013 school year!!
How can I get involved in the development of the Boggs Educational Center?
We are thrilled when other people are excited about the Boggs Educational Center. A school is the property of a community, and we want you to contact us with your questions and suggestions.
Check our calendar for upcoming events and contact us with questions about volunteer opportunities.
Email amanda.boggsedcenter@gmail.com or comment on our blog posts.
How can I make a donation? And will my donation be tax deductible?
The Boggs Educational Center Project Team is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and your donation is tax-deductible. The easiest way to make a donation is to use the PayPal feature on our website. You can also send a check made out to the Boggs Educational Center Project Team to the address below. After you make a donation, you will receive a letter of gratitude that includes tax i.d. number so that you can write off your donation.
Mailing address:
Boggs Educational Center
553 E Kirby St
Detroit MI 48202
How will my donation be used?
We are currently using donations to cover logistical expenses (printing and design costs), professional development (travel expenses for visiting schools and to attend workshops and conferences), and program development. While donations will not go directly to school programming until we open, your donations will be used directly for building our institution to ensure our success. As we get closer to opening, funds will be used to provide stipends for staff to take on full-time fiscal management, operations, and curriculum planning functions.