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General
Is the ASD a public school?
Why should I be interested in the ASD?
Is this a school for everyone?
Where is the ASD located?
Charter School
What is a Charter School?
Is the ASD affiliated with a specific school district?
Does the ASD charge tuition?
How is the ASD funded?
Academics
Besides science, math, and design what other subjects are offered?
What are the focus areas?
What courses are offered in the focus areas?
How much homework is there?
Extracurricular Activities
What extracurricular teams are available at the ASD?
What extracurricular activities are available at the ASD?
Does the ASD offer any sports?
Teaching Staff
What are the ASD's teachers' qualifications?
Student Body
How many students attend the ASD? What is the distribution?
What is the school's projected growth?"
Admissions
Can everyone automatically attend?
Are there any requirements for admission?
Can a students return to their original school?
Meals
Does the ASD have a lunch program?
Transportation
Is there school bus transportation to and from the ASD?
Does the ASD provide transportation for field trips?
Are there any situations that require routine transportation?
Risks
What are the risks of attending the ASD?
Is there a chance the ASD won’t be around until my child graduates?
Legislation
What particular legislation affects the ASD and other NH charter schools?
If I want to get involved in the legislative process, what should I do?
Community
Who is involved with the ASD?
What is the Academy for Science and Design Educational Foundation?
History
When did the ASD open and how many students and teachers did it have?
Who was involved with the school's opening?
General
Is the ASD a public school?
The Academy for Science and Design (ASD) is a Chartered Public School,
which means that it is a public school formed based on a charter, rather than on a geographic
area defining a local school district. As a New Hampshire public school, it is tuition-free for
New Hampshire residents, and any student residing anywhere in New Hampshire may apply for
admittance.
Why should I be interested in the ASD?
The ASD is a school and community driven by a passion for learning and education. The school's goal
is to instill and nurture that passion in its students and foster their pursuit of their potential.
While there is a particular emphasis on mathematics, the sciences, and specific focus areas related
to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), the overall emphasis is to provide
students with a solid educational foundation.
Is this a school for everyone?
While the ASD standards and goals are set high, any student with the desire to challenge him or
herself should consider applying. Additionally, families should also consider the risks
accompanying this unique learning environment.
Where is the ASD located?
It is located in south Merrimack right off the Everett Turnpike. While it has been situated in
the south central corridor of New Hampshire to facilitate attendance, some students commute
more than an hour to attend the ASD.
Charter Schools
What is a Charter School?
A charter school is a public school which operates according to specific
guidelines stated
in its charter, and is tuition-free, non-sectarian, and independent of most state programs
and initiatives to allow for innovation and a focus on its specific educational goals.
The The ASD's charter is posted on this web site. More information on charter schools in New
Hampshire is available from a number of sources, including the
New Hampshire Center for School Reform
and the
New Hampshire Chartered Public School Association.
Is the ASD affiliated with a specific school district?
No. While the ASD is currently located in Merrimack, NH, it operates independently from the
Merrimack school district. For 2008-9 there are over 60 students from 23 communities in New
Hampshire attending the ASD.
Does the ASD charge tuition?
The ASD is tuition-free for residents of New Hampshire. Out-of-state students are charged tuition.
For 2008-2009 this is expected to be $9,500. While there is no charge for tuition, the school
may charge some small fees for specific services and support.
How is the ASD funded?
New Hampshire charter schools are
funded directly by the state. For 2007-2008, the state
provided ~$3800/child, which is far less than the statewide average expenditure of $11,000-$12,000
per student. For 2008-2009 the ASD will be funded by the state at $5000/student. The ASD is
actively pursuing grants and philanthropic avenues.
Academics
Besides science, math, and design what other subjects are offered?
The school’s program of studies is designed to be well-rounded and integrated. English,
History, and Mandarin Chinese are required. The school will try to enable students to
take other languages that interest them. Art and music ensemble and theory are also
taught. Short six to eight week seminar courses in focus areas as well as other areas
of student interest are offered by faculty, parents, and other community members with
expertise in a variety of topics as resources permit.
What are the focus areas?
The focus areas are intended to provide students with an opportunity to
explore topics
earlier than they might under other circumstances. The chartered focus areas includ the following:
1. Architecture and Engineering
2. Chemistry and Bio-medicine
3. Space, Astronomy and Astronautics
4. Computer Science, System Design and Simulation
5. Environment and Global Sustainability
6. Mathematics and Physics
7. Aeronautics and Aviation
There is more information available on the focus areas on the ASD website.
What courses are offered in the focus areas?
For 2007-8, with a student body consisting primarily of 7th and 8th graders, lecture
presentations and/or short six to eight week courses by specialists in the focus areas
were offered. Focus areas courses will be further developed as the student body advances.
The school is projected to have a full student body in grades 7-12 and a complete set of
offerings for all grades by 2011.
How much homework is there?
There is a significant amount of homework, which is often more than the student’s previous
school. The ASD's goal is for homework to be as productive as possible to aid students in
achieving mastery of the subjects they are taking. It is also expected that students show
discipline and initiative to achieve mastery.
Extracurricular Activities
What extracurricular teams are available at the ASD?
For 2007-8 the ASD student teams coached by parents competed in several competitions, with a
number doing exceptionally well for their first year:
Lego League,
Math Counts (regional winner),
Future Problem Solvers (qualified for International Conference),
Destination Imagination (qualified for DI Global Finals),
and the Trinity College Home Fire Fighting Robot Contest.
What extracurricular activities are available at the ASD?
The ASD Student Council actively looks for new activities. Student clubs for 2007-8
included table tennis, chess, and video gaming. A Spring Student Dance was also held.
Does the ASD offer any sports?
Opportunities for physical activities are currently limited at the ASD. Some options are being
investigated for 2008-2009, but there are no organized the ASD sports teams and there is not
yet a commitment for any specific activities. Students may continue to participate in
activities like sports in their home districts, schedules permitting. The ASD does offer Physical Education classes.
Teaching Staff
What are the ASD's teachers' qualifications?
By law at least 50% of teaching staff at chartered public schools are required to be
certified by the state of New Hampshire or have three years of teaching experience. At
the ASD, all core courses (English, History, Mathematics, Physics, Biology and
Chemistry) are taught by NH state certified teachers. Classes in areas of specialization,
such as computer programming and engineering, are taught by subject experts that do not
necessarily have state certification. As with any public school, all ASD staff are required
to have police background checks.
Student Body
How many students attend the ASD, and in what grades?
For 2007-2008, there were 32 students, mostly in 7th and 8th grade. For 2008-2009,
there were 60 and 65 students, mostly in 7th,
8th, and 9th grade as students progress into the higher grades. For 2009-2010, the school started the year with an enrollment
of 115 students in grades 7-12.
What is the school's projected growth?
The student body is expected to grow primarily with the addition of
a new 7th grade class each year, and
a smaller number of students in higher grades. For the 2008-2009 school year, the classes of 2012
and 2013 are expected
to be less than 20 students each. The school is authorized to grow to a
maximum of 450 students (an average of 75 students per grade) to allow for the breadth
of desired academic offerings and to provide a healthy social environment for these age
groups. However, growth will be highly dependent on funding support and a variety of other
issues.
Admissions
Can everyone automatically attend?
No. If there are more eligible students than available slots, a lottery is held to fill the
slots. However, applications are accepted year-round. When slots are available, students may
be accepted without going through a lottery.
Are there any requirements for admission?
Because the school teaches science and math courses that usually only begin in high school,
students must demonstrate readiness for these courses.
The admissions process includes an
interview and skills assessment.
Can students return to their original school?
Yes. The ASD is an option, and if for some reason it does not work out, students can
return to their original school. If students have been at the ASD for a year or more,
their credits and grades will transfer to the next school they plan to attend.
Meals
Does the ASD have a lunch program?
Currently there is no meal program of any kind. The ASD cafeteria does have refrigerators
and microwaves available for student use.
Transportation
Is there school bus transportation to and from the ASD?
No transportation is provided unless students are coming from the school district in which
the school is located and request it. The the ASD's parent-teacher organization,
ASDEF,
helps to maintain a student directory of contact information so that parents can work
out car pooling arrangements among themselves, and quite a few families do carpool.
Does the ASD provide transportation for field trips?
Yes, when students go on a field trip transportation is provided – typically a bus.
Are there any situations that require routine transportation?
Both
Daniel Webster College and
Nashua Community College offer courses to
qualified the ASD
students, and these students are provided with transportation to and from the ASD for these classes.
Risks
What are the risks of attending ASD?
Parents should be aware that funding is a serious constraint. The school strives to provide
the best possible education within these funding limitations, but with the level of state
funding at barely half the statewide average expenditure per student, it is a serious and
continuing concern. If not for special grants and philanthropy, the school would likely not
be in operation. Our hope is to build public support by demonstrating excellence with the
level of state funding we do have, and combine that with private donations, while also lobbying
the state for better funding.
Is there a chance the ASD won’t be around until my child graduates?
The ASD is certainly at more risk of closing than a local district school, and parents and
students need to keep this in mind when choosing to go to the ASD. The school currently relies
on direct state funding, which can vary depending on legislative issues. While we will
continue to argue for more reasonable funding, and encourage families to let their
legislators know they support increased funding for charter schools, there is always
the possibility that funding will not be sufficient at some point.
(See also How is the ASD funded?)
Legislation
What particular legislation affects the ASD and other NH charter schools?
Two particularly relevant bills for the current legislative session were
HB1642
(transitional charter school funding for 2008/2009) and
SB539
(which provides more funding
for 2009 and beyond, but still relatively low.) You may also want to check out
NH government
or charter school links. ASD is chartered under
NH RSA 194.
If I want to get involved in the legislative process, what should I do?
Contact your representatives
directly, or investigate the sites in the
Charter School part of the FAQ.
Community
Who is involved with ASD?
There are a variety of people involved with the school, including educators from various
backgrounds, parents, community volunteers and business people. A goal for the school
is 100% parent involvement, and the parents are involved in a wide variety of school
activities.
What is the Academy for Science and Design Educational Foundation?
The ASDEF is the ASD's parent/teacher organization, which is a 501(c)3 organization
created to provide additional support for the school. ASDEF provides a variety of services
for the school, including volunteers/volunteer coordination, publication of the student directory,
and oversight for an
electronic discussion forum.
History
When did the ASD open and how many students and teachers did it have?
The ASD opened on Sept. 13, 2007 in temporary accommodations. In early October 2007, fit up of
the current location was finished and the ASD moved in. In 2007-8, 32 students, primarily
in grades 7 and 8, completed the year with two full-time and six part-time faculty.
Who was involved with the school's opening?
Many, many people have helped bring the ASD to where it is now. The ASD School Board
oversaw the conception and charter of the ASD and has included (alphabetically) Dr.
Michael Fishbein (Provost, Daniel Webster College), Kent Glossop (the ASD parent),
Dr. Karen Graham (Director, Leitzl Center, UNH),
Dr. Susan Hollins (NH Center for School Reform),
Patricia Humphrey (M.S. Ed.),
Lucille Jordan (President, Nashua Community College),
Joeseph Klewicki (Dean, UNH College of Engineering),
Robert (“Skip”) Myers (President, Daniel Webster College),
Shanthi Nair (the ASD parent), Thomas Popik (Principal, Geosegment Systems),
Izuh Obinelo (Director, Degrees Control, Inc.), and Jennifer Starr (the ASD parent).
Dr. Susan Hollins carried out the monumental task of opening the school, and initially served
as its Interim Director; Chris Franklin (the ASD parent) was then appointed Director, providing
invaluable leadership and drive, with Assistant Director Regina Rubery (the ASD parent) providing
crucial additional support and oversight. First year
teachers included the following: Heather Evans, Makayla
Holoubek, Darlene Olivio, Diane Ramirez, Jennifer Roberts, Terrance (“Terry”) Simkin, Mollie Van
Wagner, and Weining Xu. Many parents volunteered to get the school up and running in a variety of
ways: teaching short courses in areas of expertise (Rajesh Nair, Michael Gallagher), providing
IT and website support (Shanthi Nair, Dan Rubery), coaching extracurricular teams (Bob Bragdon,
Kent Glossop, Peter Freeman), organizing library materials (Ellen Kolb), staffing open
houses (too numerous to mention), and establishing the
parent/teacher organization (even more numerous).
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