JustEducation-NoIndoctrination K-12 Charter School

Campaign Created by: Jenifer MacFarland

The funds from this campaign will be received by Jenifer MacFarland.

Goal: USD $50,000
Raised: USD $ 3,460

Would you like to be part of a success story? Valley Forge Classical Academy Charter School in Exton, PA will be just that!  We will provide a traditional classical liberal education for each and every child.

The liberal arts in particular and liberal education in general are the surest, most time-tested way to direct students toward a life that is truly free. Our rigorous K-12 curriculum is content-rich, balanced, and strong, with an emphasis upon the four core disciplines of math, science, literature, and history, and attention to music, art, physical education, and foreign languages. In addition, we believe that by training students in the moral, intellectual, and civic virtues we are equipping them to live well-ordered lives as human beings and as citizens.


Your donation will provide funds to ensure a successful application and start-up of our LICENSED HILLSDALE COLLEGE K12 school in the Exton, PA area.  ALL DONATIONS GO DIRECTLY TOWARDS THE START UP COSTS OF THE SCHOOL. Attorney's fees, administrative and marketing costs, website design, office rental, postage and other miscellaneous fees will be covered.  All board members are VOLUNTEERS. We will open a K-8 program in the Fall of 2024 and add a grade level each year until we have our first graduating class, the Class of 2028.

For more information on the Hillsdale College K12 program, click on this link:

https://k12.hillsdale.edu/?_gl=1*jvupm3*_ga*NjIxODc5NzkwLjE2Njk1NzMyNTg.*_ga_FBJP6CFLDM*MTY2OTk4OTQ3My42LjEuMTY2OTk4OTUxNy4xNi4wLjA.

Valley Forge Classical Academy Charter School is an approved 501-c3 non-profit organization.


For more information, please contact us at this email:  vfcacs@gmail.com.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DONATING!





UPDATES

Update #9 - CHARTER DENIED
August 24, 2023
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Despite the high quality of the curriculum, the lease ready to go on the building, and the amount of community interest, the West Chester Area School District Board last night denied the application of the charter school.  What does this mean?  It means that in order to get this school running, we will need to appeal to the PA State Charter Appeals Board.  It also means that we will incur more expenses in order to successfully achieve our goal of a tuition free, high quality for ALL children in the West Chester and Chester County area.

But we are not deterred!  We know this will happen in the end, and are committed to following through for kids and parents who want school choice.  We DO need help from you, whether it's getting petition signatures from WCASD residents or making an extra donation to our expense fund, WE NEED YOU in order to make this happen. Thank you, in advance, for your support and let us know how you would like to help!

The FACTS about Charter Schools
May 25, 2023
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DV Journal

 

MACFARLAND: Why Chester County Families Need a Charter School

[IS] OPINIONS

Education

MACFARLAND: Why Chester County Families Need a Charter School

Posted to Education May 25, 2023 by Jenifer MacFarland

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n May 1, 2023, the Board of Education of the Valley Forge Classical Academy submitted an application for a Charter School to the West Chester Area School District (WCASD). The application and addendums were over 500 pages. Additional documents, including the complete K-8 Alignment of the curriculum to the PA Standards and the entire Program (Curriculum Guide) totaling over 900 pages, were submitted a week later at the request of the District.


Already, school choice detractors are spreading misinformation about charter schools. I am taking a few moments to ensure that the facts about charter schools are available.


FACT ONE: CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE PUBLIC SCHOOLS


Charter Schools MUST abide by the same laws that the traditional public schools must follow. That includes implementing IEP’s and 504s, non-promotion or teaching of religion (except in its relation to historical events), accepting ALL applicants regardless of race, color, religion, and no screening of applicants (such as entrance tests).


FACT TWO: THE HILLSDALE K12 CURRICULUM


All of Hillsdale’s Member Schools provide an education that is both classical and American in its orientation. It is rooted in the liberal arts and sciences, offers a firm grounding in civic virtue, cultivates moral character, and teaches and supports universal values.


FACT THREE: CHARTER SCHOOLS DO NOT DRAIN DISTRICT BUDGETS


Charter Schools bill the child’s home district for the instructional expenses needed for the enrolled child. The billed amount is not 100 percent of the per pupil expenditures of the district. In fact, the district subtracts transportation and administrative fees off the top, and the charter school is provided about 70% of the per pupil expenditure. So, for example, if the home district has approximately $20,000 per pupil expenditure in the district, as in the case of the West Chester Area School District, the charter school payment is about 30% less than that or approximately $14,000. Consequently, the WCASD is paying LESS to educate charter children than those enrolled in the district and keeping the difference of $6000 in their pockets! Right now, WCASD budget shows only about 2 percent of its funds go to charter schools….and those funds are educating children residing in the WCASD, not those coming from another nearby district!


The truth is that the taxpayers of the West Chester Area School District DO NOT “pay for the school” as I heard someone claim. The district pays only for the students in the WCASD that attend the charter. Your taxes are not going up because of the addition of a charter school. Public schools in Pennsylvania are allowed by law to raise taxes per the Act 1 index for their school district EVERY YEAR, and they do so, with or without cause. Charter schools are just the scapegoat.


In addition, right now we have 93 students pre-enrolled, and most of them are NOT from the WCASD.


FACT FOUR: CHARTER SCHOOLS EMPLOY CERTIFIED TEACHERS


Charter Schools must hire at least 80 percent state certified staff. They are given some leeway in hiring non-certified staff for in-demand positions, such as a high school physics or math teachers. The state requires that person be emergency certified, meaning a temporary grant of certification, while completing the requirements over a specific time period. Or in the case of a drama teacher or the like, in which there is no state certification, yet the program is offered at the school. ALL staff must provide clearances and background checks to be hired.


FACT FIVE: CHARTER SCHOOLS OUTPERFORM PUBLIC SCHOOLS


Forbes Magazine ran this story in 2018, by Emily Langhorn: Five Reasons Why Independent Charters Outperform In-District Autonomous Schools. The article states they have autonomy; are schools of choice; are held accountable for student performance; go through a careful authorization process; are sustainable.


FACT SIX: VALLEY FORGE CLASSICAL ACADEMY IS A NON-PROFIT SCHOOL


Valley Forge Classical Academy Charter School is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All of the people working on bringing this school to the community are VOLUNTEERS and have generously donated their time and talents to ensure a strong application. None have received any remuneration for their work. All of the people who have donated their time and talents strongly believe in parental choice and in this particular school model. We believe that a curriculum that meets or exceeds Pennsylvania State Standards and has high expectations for all students is sorely needed, not only in Chester County, but across the nation, and we are willing to devote our energies to make it happen.


The real argument here is whether or not you believe in parental choice. Do you believe that all children must attend the public school supported by their parent’s tax money? Or do you believe that parents should have the right to determine where their children and their tax money should go? Does one teaching style serve all learners? Do larger schools turn out better students and citizens? Are smaller schools safer?


The beauty of a charter school is that if it doesn’t fit your child or align with your beliefs, your child doesn’t have to attend there! Doesn’t a parent of a child for whom the traditional public schools aren’t working deserve the same?


Please follow DVJournal on social media: Twitter@DVJournal or Facebook.com/DelawareValleyJournal


About the Author

Jenifer MacFarland

Jenifer MacFarland

Jenifer MacFarland is the founding board president for Valley Forge Classical Academy Charter School. She wrote this for Delaware Valley Journal.

 



Come see us at the Chester County Balloon Festival!
May 24, 2023
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Valley Forge Classical Academy will be hosting a booth at the upcoming Chester County Balloon Festival, June 16, 17, and 18 at the Willowdale fairgrounds, Rt. 926 and 82 intersection, behind the Landhope Farms.  Entry is on Rt. 926.  We are handing out free balloons for the kids and pamphlets for the adults.  Come and say "hi" and get answers to any questions you may have!

And don't forget to check out our website and share with friends and family:  valleyforgeclassical.org!

Update #6
May 2, 2023
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We submitted the Charter School Application to the West Chester Area School District yesterday!  The submission totaled about 400 pages...and there are still about 250 pages of curriculum alignment still outstanding that will be submitted when we receive them!  It's been quite the task, to say the least. Now, they have 45 days in which to hold a hearing to determine whether or not to accept the application and permit the school to open, or to  list shortcomings in the application and have us go back to the drawing board, fix the issues, and resubmit. The curriculum alignment is being completed by a consultant, a herculean task, and it alone is costing us $15,000!  If you are able to help us out with that cost, it would be very much appreciated.  Prayers for success are also critical for our cause and we appreciate those as well!  We'll let you know when we hear about the date and time of the hearing....your attendance would also be a blessing! Thank you so much for your support each and every day!

Update #4 NEXT INFORMATION SESSION, MARCH 12, 2023
March 3, 2023
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Come to our next Information Session on Sunday, March 12 from 1-3 p.m.  We've met so many wonderful and supportive families!  Our session is held off-site and is easy to find. Address is below.

Our session begins with a presentation at 1 p.m. and follows with a question and answer period.  Refreshments are provided, and we'll even have a small activity corner for the kids.

We look forward to meeting you!

21 Hagerty Boulevard, West Chester, PA   19382

Update #4 NEXT INFORMATION SESSION, MARCH 12, 2023
March 3, 2023
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OPEN HOUSE THIS WEEKEND!
February 20, 2023
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Come join us for our second OPEN HOUSE AND INFORMATION SESSION!  Saturday, February 25, from 1-3!   Get more details and FREE tickets at our Eventbrite link below:


https://www.eventbrite.com/e/open-house-and-information-session-tickets-528413708627

We look forward to meeting you!

Come and Find Out What We Are All About!
January 22, 2023
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Come to our first OPEN HOUSE!  We'd love to meet you!  

We are unable to meet at the proposed school, so we'll meet at:

21 Hagerty Boulevard, West Chester, PA   19382  

Details and Free Tix at the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/valley-forge-classical-academy-school-board-59652715343

Merry Christmas to all of our Donors and Friends!
December 22, 2022
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Dear Donors and Friends,

Thank you so much for your support and prayers this year.  We are so blessed and look forward to expanding our base in this coming New Year.  Help us spread the word about this new school, which believes in parents rights, a high quality rigorous education for ALL kids, and a place where teachers can teach!

May God bless you all! Have a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy and Peaceful New Year!

The Board of Valley Forge Classical Academy Charter School


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