About RISE

How We Came About:  

The original version of Kimberly School District’s Long-Range Plan was created in 2015. One of the recommendations in the plan was to transition the elementary school from one community school into two neighborhood schools with enrollments of 450-500 each. The decision was based upon research that indicated that elementary schools of 450-500 were most effective in creating a community within a community and reducing student transitions from one building to another. To enact the Long-Range Plan, a building committee was formed developing guiding principles, a 20-year master building plan, and a financial plan which evolved into a building bond levy that was approved by the patrons of Kimberly in March of 2016.  

Part of the building plan was to turn the round building and intermediate building into an exploratory school. At that time, the term exploratory school was not defined other than “an opportunity to be innovative and provide additional opportunities for students.” During the 17-18 school year, a transition committee was formed that developed enrollment boundaries for the elementary schools, approved the name for Stricker for the new elementary and updated the Long-Range Plan. At the time the transition committee was tasked with the idea of the exploratory school. The transition committee did not make specific recommendations and was explicit that school be innovative, opposed to doing something such as turning the IE and round buildings into a 5/6 center and recommended that a group develop a plan for an exploratory school. An exploratory school committee was created and given the charge by the school board to develop the purpose of the exploratory school. The board felt that Kimberly School District has an opportunity to create a school that would be innovative and provide opportunities for students that are not available in the traditional school. Through discussions with the board, exploratory school committee, KSD staff, and patrons many ideas have been shared, discussed and debated. A cross sections of stakeholders took part in a survey to hone in on the goals of the exploratory school.  

Outcomes/Vision/Goals of Exploratory School:  

• Exploratory School will compliment strengths of Kimberly School District and maintain positive sense of community.  
• Exploratory school will provide additional learning opportunities for Kimberly School District Students.  
• Exploratory school will focus upon students’ strengths and interests and meet the needs of the individual learner.  
• Students will have an opportunity to learn in a “hands on,” investigative, and relevant manner. For example:  
  • Project based-Complete projects relevant to the learning standards.  
  • Self-directed study-student takes the initiative for formulating learning goals.  
  • Expeditionary learning-Students learn by conducting “learning expeditions” rather than by sitting in a classroom being taught on subject at a time.  
• Secondary level students will be exposed to dual credit, college courses, internships, certifications, work based learning, self-directed study to enhance college and career readiness.  
• Emphasis upon academic/guidance advising to support students in the investigation and development of their strengths and interests.  
• Exploratory students will have the opportunity to take advantage of all programs offered by the Kimberly School District. 

Charter School Fast Facts 

• Charter schools are public schools operated by a group of parents, teachers and/or community members.  
• Charter schools operate under a charter (or contract) between the charter school and its authorizer. In Idaho the authorizer is either a local school district or the Public Charter School Commission (PCSC).  
• A charter school is a semi-autonomous public school of choice. The local school district will not automatically assign students to the school.  
• Charter schools do not receive additional funds from public levies or bonds.  
• Parents must apply to charter schools if they choose to enroll their child(ren) in a charter school.  
• Charter schools are operated by independent boards and are given permission to operate by an approved authorizer.  
• Charter schools generally have more flexibility than traditional public schools in areas such as curriculum, fiscal management and overall school operations. They may offer an education program that is more innovative than traditional public schools.  

To whom is the charter school responsible? 

• A charter school is accountable to the students and families in the school, the local school district or the PCSC, and Idaho taxpayers. The charter school authorizer oversees the charter school and holds them accountable for fulfilling the charter and following all state and federal laws.  
• Charter schools are also required to participate in the state-mandated Idaho Student Assessment Test (ISAT). It is through the ISAT that charter schools, along with all other public schools in the state, are measured. Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) results can be found at: http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/assessment/ISAT/ayp.htm  

Do charter schools have to follow the same rules and regulations as traditional public schools?  

• Yes. They are public schools, so they must adhere to the same state and federal laws. For more information on Idaho Education Statutes go to http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title33/T33.htm  

How is a charter school funded?  

• Funding for public education follows the student. If a student chooses to attend a charter school the funding will follow that student.  
• The funding formula is based on three things 1) average daily attendance, 2) experience and education of teachers, and 3) type of students taught. The formula is consistent for all public schools.  

Do charter schools receive startup funding?  

• Charter schools can apply for the Federal Government Charter School Program grant for startup and implementation needs. This is a competitive grant process and the funds are limited to availability of federal funds.  

Do charter schools serve students with special needs?  

• Yes. As a public school, a charter school must comply with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) and any state special education laws.