Charter school gets boost, searches for site

By Glenn Drohan
12:00AM / Wednesday, November 19, 2003

Print | Email |

Julia Bowen, Charter School Director. ( Photo by Glenn Drohan )

NORTH ADAMS — The Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter School has received a major boost from a private corporation that promotes alternative high schools and is moving quickly on plans to pursue a North County location for a regional school.

The Commonwealth Corp. of Boston’s Center for Youth Development and Education announced last week that “BaRT,” as its trustees call it, will receive a $176,000 grant over three years to become part of a nationwide network of high schools based on the “Diploma Plus” model. The schools are intended to help more “at risk” youth graduate from high school and proceed to college through “rigorous coursework and supportive relationships,” according to a Commonwealth Corp. news release.

The Berkshire school, which is scheduled to open this coming September, was among only three schools to receive this year’s grants, which were made possible through a $4.5 million gift from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in February.

“We’re still on Cloud 9,” said Julia Bowen, charter school director. “Most important to us is to be a part of this nationwide network and to bring this kind of attention to Berkshire County.’

Over the next three years, 10 schools nationwide will be part of the network and will work together to compare and analyze programs.

Bowen said the grant money will be used as part of the school’s operational and technical budgets. The regional school for middle and high school students in 10 North Berkshire communities plans to offer all its students laptop computers. The money can only be used for high school programs, however.

“It’s hard to say exactly how it will be used, but a laptop computer for every student is expensive,” Bowen said.

She said BaRT’s proposed curriculum and standards fit perfectly with the Diploma Plus model.

“It has a number of principles that our program is already in line with,” she said. “Promotion and graduation requirements are demonstrated, and performance and demonstration of knowledge. We are developing standards and benchmarks for every class that tie in to a standards-based reporting system.”

Along those lines, she said, “We expect each student to develop and regularly review and revise their personal education plan.”

Students will also maintain Web-based digital portfolios of their work, which they will present to a panel of peers, parents and community members — in some cases quarterly.

Bowen said the “plus” part of the Diploma Plus program refers to creating challenging experiences to help young people begin the transition to college or work after they graduate.

“We’ve already created relationships with over 20 business and community organizations that have committed to creating those learning experiences,” she said.

The school is scheduled to open with 88 students and progress to a full enrollment of 308 in 2007.

Last week, the trustees sent out a “request for proposals” (RFP) soliciting building sites in all nine of the communities it will serve: Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, Hancock, Lanesboro, New Ashford, North Adams, Savoy and Williamstown.

Bowen said the preferred choices are Adams and North Adams, but trustees will consider other towns if a “perfect” building can be found.

“If there were a site in Clarksburg, say, that fit all our needs wonderfully and was a good price, we would seriously look at it, knowing we would have to pay for more busing,” she said.

Trustees hope to review up to five finalists for building sites and have a decision by January, although the holidays and building code reviews may push that date into February, Bowen said.

According to the RFP, trustees are seeking proposals that will meet short-term or long-term needs. The school will need a minimum of 9,000 square feet in its first year, 18,000 in the second, 26,000 in the third and 30,000 thereafter. Bowen said trustees would consider a one-year or two-year deal for a smaller building as a temporary measure, if necessary.

Vacant schools, renovated factory or mill space, open land to be developed or multiple homes close enough together to create a “campus” could be considered. Trustees are also looking for a site close to cultural institutions and libraries, with nearby outdoor space within a five-minute walk.

Anyone interested must send proposals by 2 p.m. on Dec. 3 to: Facility Committee, Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter School, 61 Main St., Suite 241, North Adams, MA 01247. Questions about the RFP should be directed to Bowen, 662-2278, or Julia.bowen@bartcharter.org .