C6.07 - Application Approval for R.I.S.E. Charter School (Innovation)

On February 3, 2020, the district received the application for R.I.S.E. Charter School for a 2021/2022 school opening.  

The applicant, R.I.S.E. Charter Schools, Inc., has three approved charter school applications in Broward, Palm Beach, and Pasco Counties, which are scheduled to open in 2021.  

The mission of the proposed R.I.S.E. Charter School is, “to provide a grades 6-12 STEM-based education with project-based learning focused on Renewable Industries for Sustainable Energy (R.I.S.E.), and where the school provides diverse learners with a community of support concentrated in a research-based STEM curriculum so that its graduates are well prepared to enter STEM careers with an emphasis in the field of renewable and sustainable energy.”  

The proposed school property is in the area of southern Hillsborough County.  The applicant has selected the Sun City Center area, however, a school location is still to be determined. The school will be open to all eligible sixth through twelfth grade students in Hillsborough County. The first year the school will offer grades 6-9 with a projected enrollment of 800 students. The enrollment projections will grow to 1500 students in grades 6-12 by year 5.   

The proposed school will provide students a hands-on STEM education approach focused on renewable and sustainable energy career-themed pathways, through the use of project-based learning within small learning communities and laboratory classrooms. Students will be provided opportunities for Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment, and industry certifications, as well as, experimental learning through On-The-Job training, internships and a culmination of each pathway experience, a Capstone Project. 

The Charter School Application Review Team, made up of staff from a variety of district departments and an external charter school operator, reviewed the application and provided feedback collectively. Feedback was compiled and used to interview the applicant for further understanding of the application. 

According to the requirements in F.S. 1002.33(6), charter applications shall: 

1. Demonstrate how the school will use the guiding principles and meet the statutorily defined purpose of a charter school.
2. Provide a detailed curriculum plan that illustrates how students will be provided services to attain the Florida Standards.
3. Contain goals and objectives for improving student learning and measuring that improvement.
4. Describe the reading curriculum and differentiated strategies that will be used for students reading at grade level or higher and a separate curriculum and strategy for students who are reading below grade level.
5. Contain an annual financial plan for each year requested by the charter for operation of the school for up to five years.  

The application meets all of the statutory requirements in F.S. 1002.33(6).  The Florida Charter School Application Evaluation Instrument for R.I.S.E. Charter School is attached.

 According to F.S. 1002.33(6)(b):

• The sponsor shall receive and review all applications for a charter school using the evaluation instrument developed by the Department of Education.
• The sponsor shall receive and consider charter school applications received on or before February 1 of each calendar year. 
• The sponsor may not refuse to receive a charter school application submitted before February 1 and may receive an application submitted later than February 1 if it chooses. (Due to February 1, 2020 falling on Saturday, applications were accepted until the end of business, Monday, February 3, 2020)
• The sponsor may not charge an applicant for a charter any fee for the processing or consideration of an application, and a sponsor may not base its consideration or approval of a final application upon the promise of future payment of any kind. 

 According to F.S. 1002.33(6)(b)3.a:

• A sponsor shall by a majority vote approve or deny an application no later than 90 calendar days after the application is received, unless the sponsor and the applicant mutually agree in writing to temporarily postpone the vote to a specific date, at which time the sponsor shall by a majority vote approve or deny the application. 
• If the sponsor fails to act on the application, an applicant may appeal to the State Board of Education as provided in paragraph (c).”

At this time, Hillsborough County Public Schools does not solicit charter school applications through a Request for Proposals process.  

Charter applicants are encouraged to work with districts to locate their proposed school in an area of need (enrollment, performance) within Hillsborough County.

 There are no previous outcomes for this applicant as they are not yet operating charter schools.

The following is the projected enrollment:                                                                                                          

 The chart below provides the 2018-2019 state calculated school grade and graduation rate, if applicable, as well as, the operational capacity of district-operated middle schools and high schools in the southern Hillsborough County 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)

F.S. 1002.33(2)(a)(b)(c) defines the guiding principles and purposes of charter schools in Florida.   

The Application Review Team recommends a five-year contract term. All weaknesses in the application will be addressed in the contract. 

Staff will annually review the application process to ensure that all statutory requirements are met.

* 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 application for R.I.S.E. Charter School. All statutory requirements have been met as stated in F.S. 1002.33(6).

Jenna Hodgens, General Director, jenna.hodgens@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 272-4733
Cinzia DeLange, Supervisor, cinzia.delange@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 272-4049
Van Ayres, Chief of Innovation, van.ayres@hcps.net, (813) 273-7324

The estimated cost of the review of the six charter school applications is approximately $42,000. The review of charter school applications is not covered by the two to five percent administrative fee collected to support the district’s oversight of charter schools.