About Evergreen

The mission of Evergreen Community Charter School is to prepare young people for meaningful life experiences with respect to career decisions, interpersonal relations, and community involvement.

As an established, private academic school in Monroe County, Evergreen Community School, Inc., has been registered as a charitable nonprofit 501 3(c) institution since 1995. (Exhibit 1: License, Exhibit 2: Nonprofit Status) The majority of our Board members are life-long residents of the Pocono Mountains , who are graduates and/or former teachers of the Pocono Mountain School District, and who are committed to the future of this area.

Starting in September 1996, Evergreen opened its doors to 16 students in grades 6, 7, and 8 from school districts across Monroe County , offering an education based in excellence and individual attention. Each year a grade was added to accommodate that original 8th grade class, culminating with the first graduating class in 2001. The average enrollment in Evergreen Community School is 40 students in grades 6 through 12. Evergreen Community School has a proven track record of consistently placing graduates in their first choice colleges or post secondary training.

What has made Evergreen different? Simply put, it is all about small size, quality curriculum, and the sense of community. The faculty and staff at Evergreen hold high expectations for students, both in terms of academic performance and behavior. Evergreen Community School, Inc. owns both the building and land where the school is located in Barrett Township . The school functions as a community and operates on a budget that utilizes every possible resource. Together, students and staff are involved in the educational process: planning, decision-making, and outcomes. Evergreen Community Charter School will continue with the tradition of excellence established by Evergreen Community School .

To achieve this mission, emphasis will be placed on the integration of technical and academic applications through a cross-curricular Montessori approach. The Montessori method of education is a model which serves the needs of the child as a whole being by creating environments for learning which respect individual differences and emphasize social interaction. All levels of abilities are served as students live and learn in a natural, mixed-age group which is very much like the society they will live in as adults.

The high level of academic achievement so common in the Montessori method is a natural outcome of experience in such a supportive environment. The education of the whole personality rather than the teaching of a specific body of knowledge lends itself to opportunities for community service, travel, and internships with local business partners. Evergreen Community Charter School will be committed to the future. The future in education must focus on higher technology in terms of communication skills, as well as science and mathematics.

Careers are changing at breakneck speeds. Education needs to keep abreast of changes and reflect current innovations. Schools need to provide internship programs that demonstrate the application of theories explained in the classroom in preparation for the high tech work force. At the same time, today’s education requires a strong focus in the liberal arts. Evergreen is known in Monroe County for introducing foreign language in the 6th grade, creative writing classes, environmental awareness, student theater productions, and community service activities, all designed to enrich the adult lives of our students.

Having explored both the benefits and limitations charter school status would provide, the Board of Directors of Evergreen Community School is submitting to you our reasons for considering this application.

It is our hope that by receiving charter school status we may increase the availability of Evergreen Community School ’s unique education to students throughout Monroe County regardless of financial abilities. Achieving charter status would also allow us to make advancements in our programs, including increased laboratory facilities, continued updating of computer resources, expanded biotechnology concentration, implemented partnerships with businesses and universities, additional professional development for our teachers and staff, and consistency in our student population.

As you review the application, please keep in mind... Our population is focused solely on grades 6-12. We are dedicated to small class sizes and can document our success. Finally, our reputation precedes us. Our financial records and classroom doors are open to you; our teachers and Board members are available every day for discussion.

Working together, Evergreen Community Charter School will be a blue-ribbon charter school, an example for others to model.

The Educational Program

Evergreen Community Charter School will be a co-educational, non-sectarian school of choice, dedicated to the premise that education is best achieved in a small, personalized, and safe environment. Montessori-inspired educational techniques will be at the core of the interdisciplinary curriculum. Research, problem solving, and presentation skills will be emphasized. The community concept will be a key element in our learning process as human, cultural, and environmental resources will be explored. The charter school will function as a community where individuals learn to cooperate and solve problems in a supportive atmosphere. The larger community provides the classroom of life from which our students will contribute and benefit.

Communication skills will continue to be a priority at Evergreen Community Charter School . Students will write each and every day. Student-driven research and presentations will be encouraged. Assignments will often be interdisciplinary in nature and will help develop critical thinking skills. Older students will frequently be paired with younger students to develop skills in cooperation, personal relations, empathy, communication, and problem analysis. Outdoor education will be utilized for laboratory experience, personal development, enjoyment, and appreciation.

Faculty members will continue to serve as facilitators in the educational process. All students and staff members will be recognized as unique individuals with irrefutable worth. Mutual respect will be assumed and cultivated.

Our student to teacher ratio currently averages 8:1 and will not exceed 15:1. The Planned Course Outlines (Appendix C: Planned Course Outlines) are the result of nine years of development and modification. These outlines have been submitted and approved by the PA Department of Education on an annual basis since 1996. Changes have been made periodically to update and reflect additional materials and/or resources. The curriculum itself has been successful as demonstrated by college admissions and student transfers to other schools at or above grade level. Educational goals for every grade are defined through the stated objectives in each field of study. Small class sizes allow for innovative teaching methods. For example, Computer Technology students are taught to design and implement networks, including the physical hard wiring of the school. Students in a creative writing class spent three years visiting the VA Hospital in Wilkes Barre on a monthly basis to help veterans write about their war time experiences (Exhibit 11: Examples of Creative Learning Opportunities). These all provide comprehensive learning experiences for our students.

Every area of study is enriched throughout the school year with field trips. At Evergreen Community Charter School we will continue to demonstrate our belief in the value of travel, culture, and applied knowledge. The school’s small size and dedicated bus, allow the luxury of seizing opportunities as they arise without the bureaucracy of scheduling months in advance. Faculty members will work closely with students to find and plan excursions that bring the curriculum to life.

Opportunities for faculty ownership are found in the freedom to plan and develop new techniques and curriculum to be used in the classroom. Teachers are encouraged to find creative ways to reach children with diverse styles. Every learning modality is explored in the small class setting. Whether it is baking for World Geography at the end of every unit, or testing the water quality in nearby streams during Science class on a monthly basis, or preparing a French Market for the entire school every year, students have the opportunity to gain knowledge in the every day application of the material they are learning.

The name of a course does not necessarily convey the multitude of experiences that enrich the curriculum. Expanded choices in opportunities to experience core areas are abundant.

Graduates from Evergreen Community School have returned as part of their college work to assist teachers in the classroom. Their natural sharing of experiences reinforces the value of an Evergreen education which instills strong foundation skills and confidence.

Class size makes this difference. All Evergreen students have participated in Meals-On-Wheels deliveries. All Evergreen students have participated in training for, dressing up in period costumes, and then guiding elementary groups through Millbrook Village Days. We have found that both parents and students are delighted in these out-of-the-ordinary opportunities. (Exhibit 11: Examples of Creative Learning Opportunities)

In the past, Evergreen Community School has completed the required 180 days in an unconventional fashion. School begins the day after Labor Day. School is in session at least three Saturdays during the year to complete large projects, visit a museum, or participate in a cultural event. Attendance at these School Saturdays must be above 55% to count as a complete day. Evergreen is also open during the public schools’ regularly scheduled inservice days. The Board and current families would like to maintain this schedule, but will consider modification if absolutely necessary. The length of our school day is seven hours, ( 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m ) with six, fifty-five minute classes and 30 minutes for lunch. The charter law (Charter School Law 1715-A #9) provides flexibility by requiring 180 school days or 990 hours. Our current school calendar (Exhibit 12: Calendar) clearly meets or exceeds this requirement.

Professional development at Evergreen Community School takes place on an informal as well as formal basis. Monthly staff meetings are held to share ideas, successes, and concerns. Induction for new teachers includes a mentoring process where specific insights are shared to help insure the most effective classroom management.

Presently, credit-earning professional development is pursued on an individual basis and encouraged as an essential means of retaining certification status. Charter status would create additional opportunities through the District’s Professional Development Program. The Evergreen Community School Board has reviewed the District’s Professional Educational Development Plan and would be interested in endorsing areas of the Plan which could benefit Evergreen faculty as a vehicle for exploring new methodology and pedagogical resources. As a charter school, Evergreen would continue to employ certified teachers at a rate of 75% or greater.

Currently, faculty observations are conducted formally by the Director and lead teachers in the fall and spring (Exhibit 13: Teacher Observation Form). Given our size and frequency of team teaching, there are many opportunities for informal observation and discussion. As a charter school, there would be no changes to this format. The Director often covers for teachers and is aware of current units of study in each classroom. Staff resumes and certificates are on file in Evergreen’s main office for review at any time.

Evergreen Community Charter School will modestly serve as a model to other public schools by demonstrating the success found in small class sizes. Adding cross-curricular Montessori techniques enhances the end product of a true, liberal arts education.

Extra-curricular activities currently offered at Evergreen include: Student produced theater, musical recording and engineering, Environmental Club, Ski Club, and community service. Presently there are no agreements with PMSD to provide student participation in extra-curricular activities.

Evergreen would request this agreement for those students residing within the District’s boundaries. Students living in other districts will pursue extra-curricular opportunities provided by their sending district.

This agreement specifically asks the opportunity to “try out” or audition for placement on a team or club (Exhibit 14: Proposed Extra-Curricular Agreement). It does not demand a slot based on charter status.

Examples of Creative Learning Opportunities

  • Assisting Local Food Pantry
  • Brodhead Watershed Streamwatch Program
  • Meals-on-Wheels
  • Volunteer work at Barrett Friendly Library
  • Assisting local veterinarian in dietary study on Iguanas
  • Barrett Township Halloween Parade
  • Developed nationwide map for local business depicting sales territory
  • Monroe County Environmental Education Center Envirothon
  • Monroe County Geography Fair
  • Monroe County Spelling Bee
  • School Theater productions based on Historical Periods
  • Trips to see" Alejandra Dondines Dancers of Americas", Mexican Folkloric Ballets, Spanish Flarnenico, and Spanish Plays
  • French restaurants, vineyards, and French Plays
  • Visit to Native American Museum
  • Colonial Williamsburg
  • Competition in Mathcounts
  • Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty
  • Gettysburg Trip
  • Baltimore Trip
  • Washington , D.C. Trip
  • Boston Trip
  • Group trip with United Nations International School on Pete Seeger's Hudson River Sloop
  • Lackawanna Coal Mine
  • Liberty Science Center
  • Family Ski Trips to Vermont , Quebec City , and Montreal
  • Family summer trips to Spain
  • Broadway shows and Radio City show
  • Delegates to National Youth Eco-Leadership Program
  • Philadelphia ’s Franklin Institute
  • New York 's Museum of Modern Art
  • New York 's Museum of Natural History
  • Millbrook Village re-enactment participants
  • Orienteering at Promise Land and Hickory Run state parks
  • Boulder Field at Hickory Run State Park
  • Eagle Watch on Delaware River
  • Martin Guitar Factory Tour