WHAT IS BOCA RATON CHARTER SCHOOL? Boca Raton Charter School is a public school operating under a charter contract with the School District of Palm Beach County. Charter schools are free from many state and local bureaucratic regulations and mandates which control local schools. However, charter schools are held strictly accountable for the academic and financial performance of the school. Charter schools are sometimes referred to as "independent public schools." HOW ARE CHARTER SCHOOLS CREATED? Charter Schools may be formed by creating a new school or converting an existing public school (Conversion Charter) to Charter status. Charter schools are operated as 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporations and are subject to annual audits and review by the sponsoring agency. In our case, the sponsoring agency is the School District of Palm Beach County. WHO MAY SUBMIT A PROPOSAL FOR A CHARTER SCHOOL? A proposal for a new Charter School may be made by an individual, teachers, parents, a group of individuals, or a legal entity authorized Acccording to state law. Boca Raton Charter School was founded by experienced educators and business professionals who live in our community. SPONSORSHIP A School District may act as the LEA and sponsor a Charter School. School Districts must approve or deny the charter school application, no later than 60 days after the application is submitted for review. Following approval of the application, a contract between the Charter School and School District is negotiated. The charter contract forms the basis of the schools operation and responsibilities, as well as those of the sponsoring local education agency (LEA). FINANCE Boca Raton Charter School is funded by the State of Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP). STUDENT ELIGIBILITY Charter Schools are public schools, and as such cannot discriminate. BRCS is open to any student residing in Palm Beach County. Our school will admit students regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, income level, disabling conditions, or proficiency in the English language. Medical examination and immunization records are required in the same manner as any other public school. STUDENT ADMISSION Boca Raton Charter School shall enroll any eligible student who submits a timely application, unless the number of applications exceeds the capacity of a program, class, grade level, or building. In such cases, all applicants shall have an equal opportunity as a result of a random selection process called a lottery.

BOCA RATON CHARTER SCHOOL'S MISSION The mission of Boca Raton Charter School is to develop inquiring individuals who are lifelong learners and demonstrate caring and reflective attitudes.  We are committed to being active, open-minded members of the local and global community that respect our world’s diverse cultures.  Our goal is to empower our students through a challenging, collaborative curriculum with meaningful assessments.     FEATURES OF AN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION * meaning and importance of one's own culture * meaning and importance of other's culture * study of issues of global concern * exploring the dimensions of the human condition BRCS WILL SERVE PREK THROUGH GRADE FIVE IN 2014/2015 The Pre-K program is a parent fee supported program. The PYP curriculum begins at three years of age. Students who are between the ages of three and five years will be offered a Pre-K program. Universal Pre-K (ages 4 and 5) opened in 2007 @ Boca Raton Charter School. BRCS received Voluntary Pre-K Program (VPK) Provider status in 2007. The Voluntary Pre-K program entitles four / five years olds, a maximum of 540 hours of instruction during a 180 day school year. VPK Program tuition payments cover only the alloted daily hours of instruction. The Pre-K program is offered on an additional tuition basis for a full time program and includes an after care component. Every effort will be made to minimize the cost to parents. Elementary K-6 Program Students must be five years of age by September 1st, 2014 to enter the kindergarten program. Opening in the 2006 school year, BRCS serves kindergarten through grade five and adding sixth grade depending upon enrollment. PARENT COMMITMENT Families of eligible children must be willing to make an extraordinary commitment to their child's education. Commitment by parents to the school's mission and educational philosophy manifests itself in the signing of the Parent-Teacher-Student Compact Agreement. DOES BRCS ADHERE TO THE CLASS SIZE AMENDMENT? Boca Raton Charter School adheres to the State of Florida Class Size Amendment of no more 18 students in K-3 and no more than 22 students in grades 4 and 5. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? We believe that to create a viable elementary choice option for parents, we need to be able to offer an academic program with high standards free from K-6 tuition. Too often, parents have to make choices due to financial considerations, while struggling with the desire to give their child the best education available. Boca Raton Charter School extends an invitation to children in our community to attend an International (public) School, where they can learn and grow as international citizens through the process of mutual understanding and respect for cultural differences.