Charlotte County School District

Charlotte County School District houses over 17,000 prekindergarten through 12th grade students. The Florida Sunshine State Standards and Benchmarks set a framework for the curriculum we offer our students. To view our each school's grades given by the State of Florida, please select school grades at this link: http://www.firn.edu/doe/evaluation.

In our elementary schools, the core of our studies is a balanced literacy program that prioritizes reading, writing and mathematics. Textbooks, hands-on materials, technology and a wide variety of media are used as essential tools in providing our students with appropriate opportunities to learn.

Middle schools are organized into academic teams at each grade level emphasizing skills and concepts identified through the Florida Sunshine State Standards. Special attention is given to those skills required to fulfill Florida's state testing requirements. Teaming provides a means to collectively monitor the social and academic development of students.

The high school curriculum provides both generalized and specialized educational experiences, preparing students for the postgraduate endeavor of their choice - continued education, military service or immediate entry into the workforce. Students at each grade level also have access to several elective programs, including music, art, physical education, chorus, technology, health, foreign language and careers explorations.

Pre-Kindergarten & Elementary Education

Our ten elementary schools and Baker Center house approximately 7,050 pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students. The Florida Sunshine State Standards and Benchmarks set a framework for the curriculum. School-based Student Learning Plans and district-wide curriculum guides describe the strategies we use to meet our students' learning needs.

The core of our elementary studies is a balanced literacy program that prioritizes reading, writing and mathematics. In reading and writing, both literature and informational materials are used which involve content in science, social studies and the arts. Textbooks, hands-on materials, technology and a wide variety of media are used as essential tools in providing our students with appropriate opportunities to learn. A representative group including parents reviewed and recommended selection of new social studies instructional materials for district-wide use in 2001-2002.

In order to meet the diverse needs of our students, many support programs and teaching strategies have been implemented and continue to be evaluated and revised. Title I provides both a one-on-one tutorial program and a teacher support program in reading for selected first and second graders. Each school has also developed a support plan designed to accelerate student learning. These plans provide for assistance during the regular student day, before school, after school and through Saturday school.

Class size has been reduced in some first, second and third grades through a federal/state grant (Title I), and a variety of student groupings are being used across the district. In addition, appropriate Programs for Successful Learning and Exceptional Student Education classes are available at all sites, as are guidance counselors, nurses and social workers. The elementary experience is further enriched and strengthened with many opportunities for students to participate in programs such as Honor Chorus, art shows, Kaleidoscope literary magazine, and environmental and other curriculum-related field trips. The education of our children is a team affair.

Parent and community involvement is essential to the process, and it must include two-way communication. Newsletters, information booklets, book check out, student progress reports, phone calls, notes and conferences are some of the tools used as we build our partnership. Parent and community participation through SAC, PTO, attendance at programs and activities, involvement with student learning through take-home programs like Lightspan, as well as parent calls and questions, are appreciated. Together we can provide our children with a place Where Every Student Learns in an environment that is caring, respectful and full of joy.

Seconday Education - Middle School

There are four middle school facilities serving the Charlotte County area. They are located in Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Murdock and Englewood. All four schools offer an intensive core-curriculum program with a variety of well-designed elective offerings. Middle schools are organized into academic teams at each grade level emphasizing skills and concepts identified through the Florida Sunshine State Standards.

Special attention is given to those skills required to fulfill Florida's state testing requirements. Teaming provides a means to collectively monitor the social and academic development of students. Students at each grade level also have access to several elective programs, including music, art, physical education, chorus, technology, health, law studies, foreign language and careers explorations. A writing enhancement program for grades seven and eight is designed to improve written communication skills.

Programs in Exceptional Student Education and a remediation program for students in need of academic assistance also are available at each middle school. Other services offered include guidance, school nurse, social worker, school psychologist and school resource officer. An interscholastic (7-8) program offers athletic events for students in boys basketball, girls basketball, soccer (coed), girls softball, boys volleyball, and track (coed).

Education - High School

Charlotte County's high schools offer young adults the optimum environment in which to expand their horizons in preparation for their futures. The high school curriculum provides both generalized and specialized educational experiences, preparing students for the postgraduate endeavor of their choice - continued education, military service or immediate entry into the workforce.

Extensive course offerings, ranging from basic to advanced levels, are available in language arts, mathematics, social studies and science. Art, computer education, drama, foreign language, humanities, music, Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) and vocational education are only a few of the electives offered in the curricular area. Advanced Placement (AP) programs give students the opportunity to take college-level courses and exams in selected subject areas.

Many colleges give credit and/or advanced college placement to students who attain an acceptable score on the AP examination. Junior and senior students who qualify may enroll in approved college courses under the Charlotte County Public Schools Dual Enrollment agreement. The high schools as well as the postsecondary institution offering the coursework recognize credits obtained in this manner.

Additional dual-enrollment opportunities are available to Charlotte County Public Schools students through the Charlotte Technical Center. Students can attain career education credits and certificates in areas including child care, patient care, cosmetology, electronics, drafting, culinary arts and business office technology, to name a few. Student government, band, chorus, drama, model U.N., mock-trial competition, service organizations and subject-related organizations are fundamental to an ongoing and active co-curricular program. Athletic pursuits, including but not limited to wrestling, football, basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball, track, golf, tennis, soccer and swimming, are part of the district's sports program.

Note: This information was provided by Charlotte County Public Schools http://www.ccps.k12.fl.us

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