[lpkruege1]

Originally Posted by Fastskiguy

You know what is nuts is that the whole school campus deal (and it's big. and nice) isn't even the developers main business. They build and sell houses. The whole thing is just a way to get working age people to come here to take care of the people who buy the houses. I mean....it's one hell of a side gig when you think about it.

Agreed. I know some people that were considering moving here and getting a job in The Villages, just because of the school. Why didn't they? Law enforcement is not a villages position. It's a county position and they don't qualify.

[Mikec041]

Originally Posted by Suezqz616

The parents knew the rules and regulations when they moved to Middleton or when they took a job that entitles the children to attend. The Villages Charter is top notch. I think something like 80% graduate with an Associate degrees. The sports program is excellent. Also lots of scholarships are awarded. Children know they must achieve, parents know the rules. It’s a great system for all the children.

80% of their students graduate with a College degree? I find that extremely unlikely.

[biker1]

The real number is a bit over 10% graduate with an Associate's Degree.

https://www.tvcs.org/wp-content/uplo...v-11-12-25.pdf

Originally Posted by Mikec041

80% of their students graduate with a College degree? I find that extremely unlikely.

[MSGirl]

Originally Posted by Joecooool418

Last week, I played golf with one of the deans at The Villages Charter School in Middleton. We got to talking about what parents have to do to keep their kids enrolled there, and I couldn't believe some of what he told me.

For starters, at least one parent has to work for The Villages or one of the businesses that qualifies under their enrollment rules. If that parent quits, gets fired, or gets laid off, their kids immediately lose their eligibility to attend the school. He told me they typically give parents about a week to find another qualifying job before kicking the kids out. The school's official policy does allow parents to petition for more time, but there's no guarantee they'll get it.

He said he personally knew of situations where employers had taken advantage of workers with kids in the charter school because they knew those employees couldn't afford to lose their jobs.

Think about that. Your boss knows that if you quit or get fired, your kids could get kicked out of school. How much crap would you put up with at work if you knew your kids' education was on the line?

Then he told me about the parental involvement requirements. Parents have to put in 20 hours per student every school year doing volunteer work and other approved school activities. Have one kid in middle school and another in high school? That's 40 hours a year. And if you don't meet the requirement, your kids can lose their eligibility to attend.

Imagine buying a house in Middleton, getting your kids settled into school, making friends, getting to know their teachers, and then losing your job. Now, on top of worrying about paying the bills and finding another job, you've got to worry about your kids being forced out of school too.

I understand that charter schools have different rules, but this seems pretty ridiculous for a school that's funded by taxpayers.

Why should a kid's ability to stay in a public school depend on where their parents work? And how is it acceptable for a publicly funded school to operate this way?

First, This is NOT a traditional public school. The Villages school is not a neighborhood school either. A charter school, which The Villages school is, is run independently of local school boards. It is one of the most successful charter schools in the nation, currently with over 4000 students enrolled. Students get a private school education without the cost. Parents are very receptive to doing volunteer work for the education of their children. Have you toured the facilities? If a child, for example, is interested in culinary arts, they actually have a professional kitchen set up like the culinary colleges.
What you heard is nothing new. The parents are very aware of the criteria . It’s also a reason they want to work in The Villages. Lucky for you! . Did you know The Villages also offers a special school for kids with autism?

[MSGirl]

Originally Posted by Mikec041

80% of their students graduate with a College degree? I find that extremely unlikely.

A huge amount of students graduate with an associates degree there. Many students in high school throughout the country take college courses while in high school and get an associates degree. Not that uncommon

[biker1]

See post #78.

Originally Posted by MSGirl

A huge amount of students graduate with an associates degree there. Many students in high school throughout the country take college courses while in high school and get an associates degree. Not that uncommon