Proposed STEAM Charter School Aces Review

An application for a Newport County STEAM charter school successfully passed a “completeness review” by the Rhode Island Department of Education, receiving the top rating of “Satisfactory” in all 16 evaluation categories, announced the Newport County STEAM Academy.

The school expects to open in August 2014, serving kindergarden through grade eight, eventually serving through grade 12.

The curriculum will include real-world experience through apprenticeships and internships, as well as course and graduation credits for work and play accomplished outside of school, will be imbedded into the student experience.

“We are thrilled with the rapid pace of the approval and achieving another major milestone in launching what we believe will be an exciting education option for the families of Newport County,” commented Rear Admiral Barbara McGann, U. S. Navy (retired), the president of the board of trustees.

The school will have a longer school day and serve children with afterschool and extended day opportunities. High tech “makerspaces” and fabrication labs will support the school's curriculum but will also be available to the community and students who do not attend NCSA.

The next step will be to review the recently released facilities guidelines for charter schools and continue to identify and research facilities that are both affordable and meet the new guidelines.

“There are a number of very successful charter schools in Rhode Island such as the nationally recognized Learning Community Charter School in Central Falls," said founding group member George Herchenroether. "We expect to use their best practices wherever possible which includes collaborating with public schools.”