Ahead of Open Enrollment, Point of Discovery School Already Seeing Applicants
By Brandi Makuski
The district’s newest charter school already has a pool of interested families- and open enrollment hasn’t even started yet.
The Point of Discovery School (PODS) is a public charter school within the existing district using the principles of Expeditionary Learning (EL). It operates without scheduled class periods and focuses on project-based learning. The model, according to charter school officials, challenges students to think critically and take active roles in their classrooms and communities- which they say results in higher achievement and greater engagement in school.
Jen Zach, governing board president of PODS, told the School Board on Monday the school already has 13 student applicants. The school will only take 50 incoming sixth and seventh grade students for its debut semester this fall.
“This is great because our open enrollment isn’t even open yet,” Zach said. “I think parents are seeing this as a choice, which they didn’t have before for middle school.”
PODS operates within the authority of the district and state education requirements and is being funded through its first year with grant money from the state. Zach said the governing board interviewed lead teachers last Friday, with more interviews in February.
Zach said informational meetings have already been held at both public junior high schools, and the school’s “Slice Day” events have been successful, with another one planned in February.
“The Slice Day is a full day event, from 8:30 in the morning until 3:30 in the afternoon,” Zach said. “So it gives families a really good feel for how students learn in this different kind of environment.”
Zach said space is generally limited on Slice Days and while registrants are welcome to bring children and other guests, she asks each person attending be registered. The Slice Days are free and open to the public.
While PODS doesn’t have a designated location for classes yet, Board Members said they were pleased with the charter school’s progress.
“I encourage anyone with interest in this school; go to the website, attend a Slice Day,” said Board Member Chris Scott.
Scott said the charter school was one of the more exciting things to happen in the district during her time on the Board, likening it to the positive outcome of the 4-K program instituted in 2007.
“I’m so excited to have this be part of our school district; I’m a visual learner and this is one more tool for students to learn differently,” she said.
Board Member Meg Erler told Zach she and others on the Board would like “an expedition” of the school’s site once it’s decided.
“For me it would be helpful to have an understanding with what I’m seeing, along with what you’re saying,” Erler said.
PODS is a tuition-free public charter school with plans to expand to include eighth grade students with an eventual maximum capacity of 150 students. The next Slice Day is being held on Feb. 28.
Open enrollment runs from February 2 through April 30. For more information on the Slice Day, or to apply, go to pointofdiscoveryschool.com or click here.