The Villages Charter School?
 

My wife and I are considering moving to The Villages to help care for my mother-in-law (she is 83 and has been enjoying living in TV for the past six months).

I recently applied for a teaching job at the high school but I really have not heard too much about the school (except through perusing their web site). Has anybody had any experiences with the school? Does anybody know any of the teachers and is it a pleasant working environment (the school looks very nice from the web site, but I would love to hear from someone "in the know.")? Are the kids well behaved (I have always taught college English so this will be a new experience for me if I get the job)?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

:wave:Cappy, I don't know about the school except that it has a great reputation. I wish you all the luck in the world. But ... well...um... did you say you teach college English?

Maybe Tony won't read your post.

I'm not sure who Tony is but, yes, I taught English literature and college composition at University of North Carolina-Wilmington. I left the teaching profession to buy a business in Panama a couple of years ago, but family responsibilities might have me moving back to the States in the near future.

cappy,

Some people here mistakenly think I am seeking out all English majors.

I trust you were an English major and therefore now I have positively identified one. Since you did not capitalize your nickname properly, I suspect there is hope for you.

Now back to the topic of your thread: cappy needs info on the charter school.

Hi cappyjon,

We have a little running thing around here where Tony oft accuses people of being English majors. In fact, if I were not so downright lazy, I would go through my old posts and collect together all the times this has happened to me. Some rainy day, I just might have to do that and put them in the blog section all together. Ohhhhhh, the slings and arrows.....ohhhhhh, the slings and arrows......

But we really do have a little fun with it.

Actually, our little running thing is kind of hard to explain, except to say that it is rather Shakespearean. You know -- the play within the play drill.

Ohhhh soooo hard to explain. But you know how it goes sometimes with English majors. We just have a little fun with it.

Welcome.

Boomer :read:

Back to the topic at hand. I only know what I've read in the paper and witnessed first hand.

I know the test/achievement scores for the HS are very high... best in the general area.

The facilities and equipment are top notch....more like a modern college campus than HS.

The kids seem to be very well rounded, involved in the community, and The Villages also gets involved in the school - athletic booster, help in the classroom, etc.

I'm no expert, but I would say getting a job at the Villages charter high school would be a primo education job. It also seems like it would be a good place to work.

Hopefully, you will get more direct answers from those involved with he school/staff.

Good luck to you.

(not an) English major

Hi again, cappyjon,

Now, back to your question.

I have not been inside the high school in TV, but I got an impression of some of the kids during our first visit to rent a couple of years ago.

The public library is close to the school, and after school, kids were in the library. We used the library for computer access because we were renting a place that had none.

The library had a time limit on computer use, and I must say that when the time was up, the time was up, and the kids I saw were extremely polite about it.

Now, that might seem like a small thing. But it really is not a small thing.

There are public libraries everywhere where librarians are really hassled by people who will not give up the computers to others after the time has elapsed. (Of course, there are plenty of adults who can be rude and obnoxious about public computer use, too.) Anyway, the kids I saw just seemed like nice kids who understood how they needed to behave. I know that's only a snapshot I am giving you, but I hope it helps a little.

My guess is that the salaries might be pretty low because charter schools sometimes are. But it might be a really nice place to teach, especially as a second career. Also, I do not know anything about Florida teaching license requirements. If you have not looked into that, you might want to check with the state.

Boomer

I appreciate everyone's feedback. Most of what I have heard here confirms what I have heard from other sources (top-notch facilities, good kids, and high test scores). I recently received my Florida teaching certificate because apparently teaching college English alone doesn't qualify me to teach high school in the state of Florida.

Tony (or should I write "tony" as your screen name suggests?), it is nice to see a fan of lowly English majors like myself. Yes, I was an English major as an undergrad and I also earned my MA in English literature and I have almost completed my PhD in composition studies. I guess that qualifies me as a true English nerd. For the record, I worked for over ten years as a merchant mariner (hence "cappyjon") so I can cuss with the best of them and I am very comfortable switching between my English teacher persona (another one of those fancy schmancy English terms) and my cussin' and brawlin sailor persona. I guess that makes me a well rounded person.

My wife is currently in TV now, looking for a future home for us. Hopefully, if al goes well, we'll be moving to TV this summer.

Man I hope Tony don't look at this post to careful.. My kids go to the Charter School. I have one in the High School and one in the Middle School. They have been in the Charter School for the last 7 years. We love the School and the kids love it also. They have school uniforms which we love, and the school is very clean, I mean CLEAN!!!

One of the things we like most about the school is how the residents of The Villages get involed with the school, wether it be supporting the school with donations at certain events or how so many of the residents show up at the sporting events. hard to get a seat for the football games..

We have hours that we have to put in at the school also as parents having kids in The Charter School system. I have changed jobs in order to keep the kids in the school. Very impressed with the Faculty also. I know from talking with some of the teachers, the school is strict on standards. Don't know what direction you would take that, but they believe the teacher should be teaching the kids and not just hanging out for a job.. I have seen alot of teachers dismissed after one year....

Now with that said, all schools have their issues, so I am not saying the is the most perfect school in the world... but for the most part, we have been impressed with the system here and would not want our kids in another school. Let me know if I can help you with anything else.

Go Buffalo!!!!

Thanks for your feedback, Gmoney. I think that you have identified a key component for student/school success, that being parental and community involvement. Teachers can be excellent educators, but if parents don't feel invested in their chldren's educations (making sure they study, do homework, and attend school regularly), much of what they do can be for naught. Teachers can be responsible for what happens during the school day, but what happens outside of school is totally up to the parents. If students play video games, surf the web, and watch TV for hours after school it doesn't matter how good a teacher's lesson plans may be, the student will probably not meet his potential.

As to the school having high standards for teachers, that is as it should be. As a product of Miami-Dade county public schools, I saw too many teachers who were simply there to collect a paycheck and acquire time towards their retirement. Teachers must take pride in their students' success and they must challenge their students to perform to the best of their abilities.

I work part-time at The Villages Charter school. I came from working in a public school in Ohio and there is a world of difference. I have only heard 3 cuss words, (one was a teacher!), lots of "yes ma'am, no ma'am. Have only seen one earring on a student. They do wear uniforms but can earn a dress-down day. Last year they had a 100% graduation rate. The kids come from all over. Ocala and numerous other cities.

As GMONEY stated the parents are required to put in so many hours a year volunteering and attending meetings. Lots of parents volunteer at the snack shop at the games, etc.

They have many after school activities that parents can sign their kids up for. Sports, languages, dance, cooking, flyfishing to name just a few. And The Village residents are very active and involved with the school.

Any other ?'s feel free to PM me.

Becky

I am bumping this thread because it is about the charter schools here in TV. The land and buildings I guess are owned by the Morses.

Just nice to read.

We have 2 grand daughters who attend The Villages Charter school. One in middle school and one in HS. They both seem to really like it. Facilities are first class, environment is as good as it gets, students don't have to attend so if they are out of line they leave, Kids seem to like the uniforms. Lots of school activities that are well supported by parents (some of its a requirement but I got the feeling its not really because its a requirement) and The Villages. I'm pretty sure you won't get rich working for the school (this could be understated).

Gracie:

Good of you to reinvigorate this thread!

My closest connection to the Charter Schools came last spring. A group to which I belong decided to provide a High School Senior with a modest $1,000 scholarship. The various strings we attached still resulted in 8 applicants.

The session at which we selected our recipient went on for several hours as each applicant was so well qualified! The selection committee was astonished!

At the school's award ceremonies, we were further amazed at the quality of all the guys and gals who were awarded scholarship money. I was personally blown away by the students and their abilities!

We'll be selecting another recipient before too long. I look forward to being amazed yet again!

SWR
:beer3:

I volenteered to be a Science fair judge at the middle school and it was alot of fun. Alot of people both parents and VIlage resident pitch in to help out and I think it shows (for the good).

I have a friend that is also looking to teach at the Charter School. She has asked if I know what the salarry range is? Told her I don't know however, I would check with the knowledgeable people of TV. Does anybody know how much the Charter School pays?

Promoting and teaching work ethic
 

The main requirement for attending the charter school--that a parent is employed in TV and NOT their geographic address--is fantastic. It is motivating for the parent to get a job here and keep it, and it is motivating for the student to see their parents strive to meet the requirement of employment and earning a better quality learning environment for their kids.

It is a great concept all around for a school teaching and modeling productivity and work ethic.

http://www.thevillagescharterschool....enrollment.asp

The Charter School is apparently expanding---per construction updates in Saturday's paper---The Villages Early Childhood Center-at Old School road and County Road 466--Site development started on this 4.5 acre, golf cart accessible addition to the Villages Charter Schools. This education center will serve children ages 3 and 4 in a single story concrete building. When completed, the facility will contain 12 classrooms with the capacity to serve up to 256 students.

My realtor came to work for TV specifically so her kids could go to the charter schools. She says she would wash toilets to keep her kids enrolled till graduation.

As a teacher,not at the Charter school, and as a parent, I can provide a little different perspective to this discussion. First, absolutely true about the facilities. They are very nice and in most cases, well taken care of. I would also agree that there are a plethora of extra-curricular activities (too many in my opinion for a school this size).
But, you knew it was coming, it is not all sunshine and lollipops. They have drugs, discipline issues, and bullying just like you find in any school. I have personally witnessed on several occassions unbelievable disrespect given to teachers and coaches as well as to the facilities. To say that the turnover of teachers is due to poor production on the teachers part is simply preposterous. I work with many of these people and they left because of the administration's LACK of willingness to handle certain situations. They have lost at least a dozen teachers in the last three years that they have not been able to replace. They have many fine and hardworking educators in the school system, but they have lost some of the best in the area in the middle and high school as of late.
And before anybody wants to jump on me for being negative or that I have an axe to bear, save it. My kid is one of the top students at that school. I have never been discharged from there or not hired or snubbed or whatever other excuse some will lay on me. I just see it for what it is, a business.
As far as pay is concerned, below the prevailing rate but not by much(but that is one of the lowest in the country).

What do you mean by "it is a business" Are you inferring that someone is unduly profiting from the operation? If so who?

Your KID is a top student? Is there something wrong with running a school like a business? Can you tell us which teachers have left? You think that their reason for leaving was that the administrations poor handling of things? What things? Children talking back? Not towels in the teacher rest room? Days off, personal days? Having to do stuff with the kids after school? Can you tell us what situations those were? Did someone on this thread say that there was turnover of teachers? Did they further say that it was due to "poor production"? I missed that post.

They have lost at least a dozen teachers in the last three years and have been unable to replace them? Was that due to not being able to find someone for the job in this economy, or was that due to a cut back of finances for their salaries?

The pay is below the prevailing rate and they still keep good teachers?

I know I have asked a lot of questions and I will go back and reread this thread because I may have missed some points.

I did go back and I did reread this thread and there was nowhere that I could see that anyone posted anything about teachers turnover or anything about poor production.

I am old and dim and sometimes I just don't capture the meat of an issue.

Good question started this thread. Most gave good answers with what they know. I will stick in what I know as I have lived here a long time and have spent many hours at the school supporting sports, judging the science fair and helping with coaching. I have talked to teachers who thought it was hell on earth and left of their own choosing. I know some who went to neighboring school districts like Wildwood and Leesburg. Others love teaching here.
I totally agree that grandparents and parents work hard to have their children go to the charter school. But if you are coming here to teach, just know the administration doesn't have a great reputation for backing its teachers. There is a really a big investment in a public relations. If you do get a job here, definitely get people like me and other villagers to help you as they expect a lot from their teachers. Good luck.

Larry, Thank you for your candid response and also for helping the teachers. I will pass your information on as well as the other information.

An acquaintance of mine done took her kids outa school cause " I'M gonna learn' em at home !"

Running school like a business
 

What is wrong with "running the school like a business".....a business like those in the private sector who must be fiscally responsible by not spending and borrowing more money than it really has coming in??

NOT "running the school like a business"--in terms of financing--is a big part of the problem public education has today. Legislators, administrators and non-tax-paying parents too often give the finger to taxpayers who foot the bills and take the hit to their own kids' college savings, to pay for the increased school taxes, levies, etc.

Larry. You sound like a wonderful person and your volunteer hours at the school are bound to make it a better place and you are a very good example. I am always interested in education systems, once a teacher, always...etc. But HOW do they not back their teachers? (The administration) I am not trying to start a fight.

And HOW could we help...?

What do you mean,"its a business" . As a former teacher,Charter schools are a business. They are there to make a profit.Most school struggle with money matters, charter schools do not seem to have the same problems.

I don't believe that the school is a" for profit", but rather a 501 c3. Please correct if my impression is erroneous.

They're not-for-profit
 

....."The VCS are identified as "Charter Schools in the Workplace" and operated as a Florida not-for-profit corporation. Established through Florida law, charter schools in the workplace are public charter schools with the ability to target a specific student population. Charter schools are public schools of choice...."

http://www.thevillagescharterschool....eWorkplace.asp

Villages Charter Schools
 

Well hay howdee.......I jus beed fixin ta summunz me grand babies ta dis kneck uf da woods sewin theyz kin be goin tuh are Villages Charter skool. Well shoot....me figgurz if in dem thar developers sint dar own spawn tuh du Villegez Charter skool..... DEN dats goot e nuff for me spawn two.

schools
 

Charter schools are all about profit. You will see these schools open up and two years later close down. If they do not turn a profit they are finished. Local school districts this never happens.They downsize or merge schools.

charter schools
 

Final thought on charter schools. Remember the village school is different. They are a 'PRIVATE CHARTER SCHOOL' The child who lives at 466 and 301 and can walk to this school,would not be able to attend because of the employment issue.So when you look into the state money per child you see it different.This not your normal charter school.

There is clearly a difference in making a profit and covering expenses. Don't cover expenses and you go out of existence without a financial angel. The Florida law provides for these kinds of school "in the workplace" and I suspect there are at least several more in the state. You may have valid issues, but I haven't heard them yet. Can you be more specific?

Yes Mam, My kid is an exceptional student. Academic full-ride to an honors Pre-med program. Is that good enough for you? (By the way, my kid's standardized test scores have decreased since our move here)
No I will not name names of teachers that have left but you could find that out if you choose too. Yes, they left for reasons beyond that of students talking back, please, are we adults here? No it wasn't for poor production, as a matter of fact, some were the top teachers at that school and in the district.
It is very easy to replace a teacher in this climate with a body, especially a young, new teacher that will be less expensive and willing to do anything to keep the management happy, even if it means.....never mind. I guess that is what I meant by replacing the lost teachers, because when I have a kid in a school that has three new teachers in one school year for two seperate subjects, that is an issue. I know I could always change schools right?
How do YOU determine a good teacher? You claim they have good teachers, what is your criteria? FCAT scores? Attendance, Grades? Just curious, because you may want to define good before you label something. Just saying.....

schools
 

The Village schools are Private charter schools. They in a sense can pick and choose students. They are allowed to live anywhere. Not the case of pulic schools that are "not school of choice. As a retired teacher and coach,I bet that within a few years the high school will win state championships in several sports because athletes can come from anywhere. Bet that the coaches know this and can recruit them for their programs.

Congratualations on your childs scholarship. I didn't say anything about the teachers ability..good, bad or indifferent. I don't know anything about the school, other than I use the art room after hours when I take a class there. I was just asking questions. Read my post again, please. You imply that the teachers left because of ...what? We don't know you and we don't know your child. So you can answer. Are you implying sexual harrassment?