B6.20 - Approve the Contract for Winthrop College Prep Academy (Charter Office)

Charter School legislation, 1002.33 F.S., permits individuals, organizations, and community members the opportunity to submit an application to the Board for the creation of a charter school. On April 28, 2020, the Board approved the application for Winthrop College Prep Academy.

Florida Charter Educational Foundation, Inc. (FCEF) is the contract holder and currently governs six kindergarten through eighth grade charter schools in Hillsborough County as FCEF or Bay Area Charter Foundation, LLC . The non-profit board has selected Charter Schools, USA (CSUSA), a for-profit management company, as their Education Service Provider. 

The mission of the proposed Winthrop College Prep Academy is, “to challenge each learner to discover where their individual talents, opportunities and passion intersect.” The vision is, “to provide a world class high school model that ensures all students are ready for post-secondary pathways of their choosing.”  

The proposed school will be located at 12802 US Highway 301 in Riverview and will be open to all eligible high school students in Hillsborough County. Grades 9-10 will be offered in year one with a projected enrollment of 600 students. The enrollment projections will grow to 1200 students in grades 9-12 by year three. With the approved Articulation Agreement, enrollment preference will be given to students currently served by FCEF schools.  

The proposed school will offer a traditional curriculum based on CSUSA's “Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum” and will provide opportunities to students with options for Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment, Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education Diploma, and Career and Technical Educational Academy Pathways.  

A copy of the proposed five-year contract is attached. The original charter application approved by the Board will become Appendix I of this contract, and is available for review in the Charter Schools Office.

F.S. 1002.33(7) requires the terms and conditions for the operation of a charter school to be set forth by the sponsor and the applicant in a written contractual agreement, called a charter.

• The sponsor and the governing board of the charter school shall use the standard charter contract pursuant to subsection (21), which shall incorporate the approved application and any addenda approved with the application.
• Any term or condition of a proposed charter contract that differs from the standard charter contract adopted by rule of the State Board of Education shall be presumed a limitation on charter school flexibility.
• The sponsor may not impose unreasonable rules or regulations that violate the intent of giving charter schools greater flexibility to meet educational goals.
• The charter shall be signed by the governing board of the charter school and the sponsor, following a public hearing to ensure community input.

F.S. 1002.33(7)(a) defines what the charter shall address and what the criteria for approval the charter shall be based on. All requirements are met through the use of the State’s standard charter contract pursuant to F.S.1002.33(21).

There are no previous outcomes available for Winthrop College Prep Academy.

The following is the projected enrollment:

Number of Students

The chart below provides the 2018-2019 state calculated school grade and graduation rate, as well as, the operational capacity of district-operated middle and high schools in the Riverview area.

* https://edudata.fldoe.org/                                                                                                                                                            ^School Analyst and Business Intelligence SABI powered by Advanced Andean Solutions LLC. Report generated on 10/14/2019. Based on the 2019/2020 SIS 40th Day Count (10/07/2019)  

In the event of a discrepancy between the contract and the charter application, the terms of the contract will prevail. Winthrop College Prep Academy has agreed to all terms of the contract, which has been revised to include the most recent revisions to 1002.33, F.S.

* Improve the high school graduation rate

* Improve Student Achievement

* Provide a student-centered learning environment that engages every child

* Develop a culture of respect, trust, collaboration and equity

* Engage and communicate with families and stakeholders

* Continuously improve processes and systems

* Respond to competition

Approve the contract for Winthrop College Prep Academy.

Jenna Hodgens, General Director of Charter Schools, jenna.hodgens@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 272-4733
Dr. Cinzia DeLange, Supervisor of Charter Schools, cinzia.delange@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 272-4049

The charter school’s first year enrollment projection of 600 students will generate approximately $3,863,574.00 in Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) (Part I) funds. The school district retains a five percent administrative fee for up to and including 250 students ($80,481.13) of FEFP funds to offset services provided by the district. The school will also qualify for categorical, capital outlay, and grant funds as appropriate and allowed by Florida statutes.

A contract renewal review will be completed prior to the contract end of June 30, 2025.