Wisconsin Charter Schools Yearbook - School Management Services

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Michael Pekarske
610 North Badger Avenue
Appleton, WI 54914
(920) 832-5708
pekarskemichae@aasd.k12.wi.us
Grade Levels: 09-12
Matt Mineau
2121 Emmers Drive
Appleton, WI 54915
(920) 997-1399
mineaumatthew@aasd.k12.wi.us
Grade Levels: 09-12
David Debbink
10 College Avenue, Suite 288
Appleton, WI 54911
(920) 993-7037
debbinkdavid@aasd.k12.wi.us
Grade Levels: 07-12
Odyssey-Magellan provides enriched and accelerated curriculum in math,
communication arts, science, social studies and French. Odyssey-Magellan
students participate in art, music, physical education, and co-curricular
activities offered at Highlands and Wilson. Odyssey-Magellan helps students
attain the goal of becoming well-educated, self-confident, productive,
lifelong learners.
Est. 2000 Renaissance School for the Arts
The Renaissance School for the Arts (RSA) provides students in grades 9-12
with a learning atmosphere in which immersion in the arts is the norm.
Student artists develop the skills and attitudes that contribute to artistic
understanding and learning through the arts. This arts-oriented approach to
curriculum delivery recognizes the uniqueness of the individual while
promoting artistic and academic excellence. All courses are taught as college
preparatory courses, with an option for the student who may not be collegebound.
The delivery of the academic curriculum in the charter school
environment of the RSA is grounded in a combination of elements from the
one-room schoolhouse, block scheduling, and Web-enhanced courses.
Est. 2002 Tesla Engineering Charter School
Tesla Engineering Charter School has taken the first step toward providing a
new approach to learning that emphasizes instruction and activities for
students interested in preparing for careers in engineering and other technical
fields while strengthening their academic achievement serving students in
grades 9-12. The students of Tesla receive their education through online
courses, independent and team research activities, youth options, guest and
adjunct lecturers, the FIRST robotic competition (a national competition),
and work-based learning, as well as traditional educational delivery. The
primary educational focus is to use mechanical engineering and electrical
engineering as the vehicles to integrate skills in reading, writing, public
speaking, math, science, and technology. The knowledge and skills
developed enable students of all levels to meet the challenges of state and
local performance standards. Tesla creates learning opportunities and direct
links to industry and postsecondary education. Students desiring to move
directly into industry have the advantage of the established industry
networking.
Est. 2003 Valley New School
Valley New School (VNS) serves youth in grades 7-12 offering students an
opportunity to learn in a student-driven, project-based environment. The
focus of the student-driven, project-based curriculum is rooted in the concept
that each person is his or her own best teacher. Students develop their own
learning experiences based on their interests and passions.
As they plan their comprehensive research projects, students work with
their parents and advisors to align their project goals with state and local
academic standards. At the conclusion of each project, students present their
findings and products to an evaluation team and earn credit (employing a
nine-item rubric) based on the quality and breadth of their work. The
educational goals at VNS are centered around the empowerment of the
school community which includes students, school staff, parents and
community members.