Great Oaks Charter Schools: A Mixed Bag

Great Oaks Charter Schools (GOCS) is a network of charter schools in the United States. It was founded in 2015 and currently operates 20 schools in five states. Great Oaks Charter Schools are open to all students, regardless of income or zip code.

The goal of Great Oaks Charter Schools is to give students a top-notch education that equips them for success in college and beyond. The academics, character education, and social-emotional learning are the schools’ main priorities.

Great Oaks Charter Schools have had a variety of reviews. Some parents and students give the schools high marks for their demanding curricula, cutting-edge teaching techniques, and helpful personnel. Others fault the schools’ heavy workloads, dismal exam results, and lack of diversity.

In-depth analysis of Great Oaks Charter Schools missions, values, curricula, and academic achievements will be provided in this article. Additionally, the controversies surrounding the schools will be covered, as well as the views of the instructors, students, and parents.

Mission and Values of Great Oaks Charter Schools

A network of public charter schools in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York City called Great Oaks Charter Schools are all tuition-free. Their goal is to give every student a top-notch education, regardless of their background or situation. Great Oaks Charter Schools are dedicated to providing kids with customized attention and assistance as well as academic performance in order to best position them for success in high school and college.

Great Oaks Charter Schools’ Core Values:

• Excellence: Great Oaks Charter Schools are committed to producing high quality work and never settling for good enough. They use their unique gifts and talents for their own and the broader good.
• Perseverance: Great Oaks Charter Schools give their best effort to every task at every time. They strive to be the best version of themselves. They persist in the face of challenges and take pride in their accomplishments.
• Integrity: Great Oaks Charter Schools tell the truth to themselves and others. They ensure alignment between their beliefs and their actions. They engage in honest self-reflection and do what is good, just, and true.

Great Oaks Charter Schools are dedicated to giving children the tools and support they require to realize their full potential because they believe that all students can thrive. In order to assist their pupils become the greatest versions of themselves, they emphasize universal characteristics like respect, persistence, honor, and greatness because they feel that character development is just as vital as academics.

Example of how Great Oaks Charter Schools’ mission and values are put into practice:

The academic curriculum at Great Oaks Charter Schools is demanding and created to help students succeed in college and in their careers. In order to assist students in pursuing their interests and skills, they also provide a range of extracurricular activities and support services. Great Oaks Charter Schools, for instance, provide a range of organizations and sports teams in addition to tutoring, counseling, and other support services.

Character development is a key priority at Great Oaks Charter Schools. They emphasize to kids the value of respect, accountability, and citizenship. They also urge students to volunteer in their neighborhoods. For instance, students at Great Oaks Charter Schools engage in a range of community service activities, such assisting at nearby soup kitchens and homeless shelters.

No matter their circumstances or background, Great Oaks Charter Schools are dedicated to giving every kid a top-notch education. They are committed to assisting students in realizing their full potential because they think that all students can achieve.

Curriculum of Great Oaks Charter Schools

Great Oaks Charter Schools (GO) is a network of public charter schools in New York City and Bridgeport, Connecticut, serving students in grades 6-12. Great Oaks Charter Schools curriculum is designed to prepare students for college and beyond, with a focus on inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

Core Subjects

English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies are required of all Great Oaks Charter Schools students. The core curriculum is created to give students a solid foundation in the information and skills they will need to excel in college and in their jobs. It is linked with state and national standards.

Inquiry Courses

Great Oaks Charter Schools students also study a four-year program of inquiry-based writing classes in addition to the core curriculum. Students learn how to successfully recognize, evaluate, and resolve problems in the actual world in inquiry-based courses. Students pick up the skills necessary to do research, assemble and assess evidence, and present their conclusions in an understandable manner.

Elective Courses

A wide range of optional courses in disciplines including art, music, foreign languages, computer science, and vocational education are also available through GO. Students can explore their interests and hone their skills in elective classes.

Personalized Learning

All pupils will receive individual instruction from Great Oaks Charter Schools. To evaluate student development and personalize education to each student’s requirements, teachers employ a range of data indicators. In addition, GO provides a range of support services, including tutoring, counseling, and after-school activities.

Graduation Requirements

Students must finish all compulsory core and inquiry courses, as well as a certain amount of optional credits, in order to graduate from Great Oaks Charter Schools. Additionally, there are some academic requirements that students must complete, such as passing all of their state and national standardized exams.

The curriculum at Great Oaks Charter Schools is designed to prepare students for college and beyond. GO’s focus on inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving helps students develop the skills they need to succeed in their academic and professional careers.

Academic Performance of Great Oaks Charter Schools

Academic performance data for Great Oaks Charter Schools varies depending on location.

Great Oaks Charter School in New York

Middle school in Manhattan, Great Oaks Charter School in New York serves students in grades 6 through 8. The following is the school’s academic performance for the 2019–2020 school year, as reported by the New York State Education Department:

• English Language Arts (ELA): 23% of students scored at or above the proficient level, compared to 53% of students statewide.
• Mathematics: 16% of students scored at or above the proficient level, compared to 47% of students statewide.

The school’s graduation rate is not reported, as it is a middle school.

Great Oaks Charter School in Delaware

Delaware’s K–8 Great Oaks Charter School is situated in Wilmington. The Delaware Department of Education reported the following about the school’s academic achievement in 2021–2022:

• English Language Arts (ELA): 23% of students scored at or above the proficient level, compared to 43% of students statewide.
• Mathematics: 16% of students scored at or above the proficient level, compared to 39% of students statewide.

The school’s graduation rate is not reported, as it is a K-8 school.

Great Oaks Charter Schools’ overall academic performance falls short of state averages. However, it is crucial to remember that compared to conventional public schools, charter schools frequently serve a student population that is more underprivileged. Additionally, it is challenging to draw reliable comparisons between academic achievement over time because to the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption of schooling in recent years.

It’s also critical to remember that academic achievement is only one indicator of a school’s success. When assessing a school, other aspects including college preparedness, school atmosphere, and student happiness should also be taken into account.

Controversy about Great Oaks Charter Schools

A network of public charter schools in the United States is called Great Oaks Charter Schools. While receiving public funding, charter schools are run separately from conventional education districts. They are frequently commended for their cutting-edge educational strategies and capacity to assist pupils who are having difficulties in conventional institutions. However, charter schools have also come under fire for being unaccountable, having a propensity to take the finest pupils, and taking funds away from regular public schools.

Great Oaks Charter Schools have been the subject of several controversies in recent years.

• Financial mismanagement: Due to worries of financial mismanagement, the Delaware Department of Education put Wilmington’s Great Oaks Charter School under formal examination in 2022. The school had not convened with its Citizens Budget Oversight Committee in almost a year and had been falling short of enrollment goals.
• Pay inequity: Black teachers and community members at Newark, New Jersey’s Great Oaks Legacy Charter School came out in 2022 against salary disparities at the school. They claimed that for performing the same task, white educators were paid more than Black educators.
• Leadership issues: Great Oaks Legacy Charter School has had a high turnover rate of principals in recent years. In 2022, the school’s seventh principal in eight years resigned.
• Academic performance: Great Oaks Charter Schools’ academic success varies greatly from school to school. State education administrations have given certain schools excellent ratings while giving other institutions negative ratings.

Great Oaks Charter Schools continue to be well-liked by some parents and children in spite of these problems. They like the school’s emphasis on preparing kids for college and careers as well as its dedication to provide excellent instruction to all students, regardless of their background. Others, though, continue to have reservations about charter schools generally and Great Oaks Charter Schools specifically. They are concerned that the schools are stealing funding from conventional public schools and are not responsible to the general population.

It is crucial to remember that Great Oaks Charter Schools are not the only institution to face controversy. Academic performance, leadership concerns, pay fairness, and financial mismanagement are among issues that many conventional public schools struggle with. But because the charter school movement is still in its infancy, there is still a lot we don’t understand about how charter schools function and what influence they have on children and communities.

Parents, Students and Teacher Perspectives about Great Oaks Charter Schools

Parents and students who support GOCS schools often praise them for their rigorous curriculum, innovative teaching methods, and supportive staff.

“My son loves going to Great Oaks Charter Schools,” said one parent. “The teachers are passionate about their work and they really care about the students.”

“I’ve learned so much at Great Oaks Charter Schools,” said one student. “The teachers are challenging and they push me to be my best.”

However, some parents and students who criticize Great Oaks Charter Schools often complain about the high workload, low test scores, and lack of diversity.

“The workload is too much,” said one parent. “My son is constantly stressed and he doesn’t have time to do anything else.”

“The test scores are disappointing,” said one student. “I know that I’m working hard, but I’m not seeing the results.”

Teachers at Great Oaks Charter Schools also have mixed opinions. Some teachers praise the schools for their mission, curriculum, and supportive staff. Others criticize the schools for their high workload, low pay, and lack of support from administration.

“I love working at Great Oaks Charter Schools,” said one teacher. “The students are motivated and the staff is supportive.”

“I’m passionate about my work and I want to see my students succeed,” said another teacher. “However, the workload is too high and I don’t feel supported by administration.”

Recommendations can improve about Great Oaks Charter Schools

Great Oaks Charter Schools can improve by:

• lowering the workload for both instructors and students.
• giving instructors and students greater assistance.
• expanding the diversity of the faculty and staff.
• enhancing interactions with parents and the neighborhood.

The Great Oaks Charter Schools system of schools has the potential to be excellent. To realize their full potential, individuals need to make a few adjustments.

Great Oaks Charter School Shooting: A Tragedy That Could Have Been Prevented

Three children were killed and five others were injured after a 15-year-old student opened fire at Oakland, California’s Great Oaks Charter School on January 23, 2023. Three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder were filed against the gunman, who has not been named.

The massacre at Great Oaks was the most recent in a succession of large-scale shootings that have occurred at schools around the country. Many people are questioning how the tragedy occurred and what can be done to stop school shootings in the future in the aftermath of the tragedy.

These inquiries do not have a straightforward solution. However, it is evident that there is a significant issue with gun violence in the United States. Over 260 mass shootings have occurred in the US so far in 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive. This equates to more than one mass shooting daily.

Gun violence in the United States is influenced by a variety of variables, such as easy access to firearms, mental health issues, and a society that values violence. Stricter gun control legislation, improved access to mental health treatment, and violence prevention initiatives are just a few of the things that may be done to minimize gun violence.

Great Oaks shooting was a tragedy that could have been avoided. To make our schools safer for all kids and to address the underlying causes of gun violence in the United States, we must take action.

The following actions may be taken specifically to lower gun violence in the USA:

• Enact more stringent gun control legislation, such as red flag laws, universal background checks, and restrictions on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
• Expand access to mental health services so that those who are dealing with mental health issues may receive the support they require.
• Support initiatives that educate children about the risks of gun violence and the benefits of nonviolent dispute resolution.
• Encourage a culture of non-violence and peace.

Even though the incident at Great Oaks was tragic, it need not have been in vain. To lower gun violence and make our schools a safer place for all children, we can take action.

Great oaks charter school newark, nj

Open enrollment, tuition-free public charter school system Great Oaks Legacy Charter School (GOLCS) educates students from Pre-K through 12th grade on sites in Newark, New Jersey. Its goal is to get every kid ready for success in college.

Great Oaks Charter School and Newark Legacy Charter School merged to form GOLCS in 2018. Over 2,000 students are now being taught by Great Oaks Legacy Charter School on seven sites.

Great Oaks Legacy Charter School provides a demanding academic curriculum that adheres to New Jersey state requirements. Sports, clubs, and artistic programs are just a few of the extracurricular activities that are available at the school.

The Great Oaks Legacy Charter School has a proven track record of achievement. 98% of Great Oaks Legacy Charter School graduates received acceptance letters for college in 2022. With 94% of students finishing on time, the institution also boasts a good graduation rate.

In the Newark neighborhood, Great Oaks Legacy Charter School is a well valued institution. It is renowned for its effective academic curriculum, dedication to inclusion and equity, and positive school climate.

Here are some of the things that make Great Oaks Legacy Charter School unique:

• College readiness: Great Oaks Legacy Charter School is dedicated to preparing all students for success in higher education. A range of college preparedness activities and services are available at the school in addition to a demanding academic curriculum.
• Commitment to equality and inclusion: Great Oaks Legacy Charter School is dedicated to fostering a climate in which all students are valued and feel at home. The school offers a wide range of activities and programs to help kids from various backgrounds.
• Friendliness and trust are the foundations of the Great Oaks Legacy Charter School culture, which is robust. All children will get assistance from the school community to achieve.

Robert Morgan Educational Center, A Beacon of Hope for Miami’s youth

Overall, Great Oaks Legacy Charter School is a top-notch charter school dedicated to offering all kids a challenging academic curriculum and a positive school environment.

Conclusion

Schools in the Great Oaks charter schools are diverse. While some schools have low test results and diverse personnel, others have great test scores and supportive staff.

When deciding whether to enroll their kid in a Great Oaks charter schools, parents and students should thoroughly investigate the school’s academic standing, ethos, and disciplinary practices. They ought to discuss their experiences with other parents and students.

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