Answer: Mavericks in Education along with Mavericks Charter High Schools are dedicated to designing, developing and delivering out-of-the-box, innovative educational solutions that produce results.

Our goal is to work in support and partnership of our public and private school system by focusing intently upon the at-risk and dropout student challenge. Our initiatives are focused upon saving thousands of students each year, big solutions to big problems. Students that may benefit most from a Mavericks Charter High Schools are those who may not fit in the traditional education system, due to boredom or other challenges, and are likely to drop out or have already dropped out; however, recognize the importance of furthering their education and obtaining a high school diploma.

Answer: Mavericks Charter High Schools recognize the students we serve require a high school education, job preparedness, prospects for continuing education and a state-recognized high school diploma. Our students benefit from a school designed to be simple, inviting, and reflective of their lifestyle, a place where they all fit in and are welcome. It’s a great out-of-the-box experience.

Unlike a traditional high school, there is no set period of time for which a course needs to be completed. Students may work at their own pace, allowing extra time for more challenging subjects while also giving them the freedom to move at an accelerated learning pace where they have greater command of the curriculum. Students earn course credit upon demonstration of mastery and required testing. Classrooms are set up with teachers and aides, who assist students at any time they may require one-on-one help. This makes for a more individualized approach, focusing on the student’s needs and academic strengths while allowing them to regain confidence in their ability to succeed.

Answer: Charter schools are non-profit 501© (3) organizations that have a contract or charter to provide the same tuition-free educational services to students as district public schools. They are nonsectarian public schools that operate with freedom from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools.

The “charters” establishing such schools are performance contracts detailing the schools’ mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success. The length of time for which charters are granted varies, but most are granted for 3-5 years. At the end of the term, the entity granting the charter may renew the school’s contract.

Charter schools are accountable to their sponsor, usually a state or local school board, to produce positive academic results and adhere to the charter contract. The basic concept of charter schools is that they exercise increased autonomy in return for this accountability. They are accountable for both academic results and fiscal practices to several groups: the sponsor that grants them, the parents who choose them and the public that funds them.

Answer: Like charter school legislation in many states, Florida’s charter school statute envisions that charter schools will provide more school choice and innovation and ultimately lead to higher student achievement.

The statute states:

• Charter schools in Florida shall be guided by the following principles:
• Meet high standards of student achievement while providing parents flexibility to choose among diverse educational opportunities within the state’s public school system.
• Promote enhanced academic success and financial efficiency by aligning responsibility with accountability.
• Provide parents with sufficient information on whether their child is reading at grade level and whether their child gains at least a year’s worth of learning for every year spent in the charter school.

Charter schools shall fulfill the following purposes:

• Improve student learning and academic achievement.
• Increase learning opportunities for all students, with special emphasis on low-performing students and reading.
• Create new professional opportunities for teachers, including ownership of the learning program at the school site.
• Encourage the use of innovative learning methods.
• Require the measurement of learning outcomes.

Charter schools may fulfill the following purposes:

• Create innovative measurement tools.
• Provide rigorous competition within the public school district to stimulate continual improvement in all public schools.
• Expand the capacity of the public school system.
• Mitigate the educational impact created by the development of new residential dwelling units.

The important links below provide more detailed information on charter schools and the at-risk population that Mavericks High School is dedicated to serving:

• Charter School Fast Facts
• Florida Charter Law
• At Risk Report

Answer: A charter school is a privately operated public school open to all students. They are state funded and tuition is free. They must comply with state civil right laws, health and safety standards, and are responsible for the achievement of their students being equal to or better than the state’s average. Charter Schools are regularly audited to ensure full compliance with all state regulations.

The authority to operate a charter school is given to non-profit organization with an independent Board of Directors who may choose to operate the school directly or hire a management company best-suited to support the school’s unique educational and operational model. Charter school laws and regulations may differ substantially from state-to-state.

• Educational quality: The primary reason for charter schools is to make sure every child has access to a quality education. With the freedom and choice to do so, charters set higher standards and must meet them to stay in business.
• Focus on the kids: The most important reason a charter school is to serve the needs of students. The focus is on the students, and the programs are designed to help students succeed.
• Safer, stronger communities: Charter schools typically engage local businesses and other organizations to help provide resources and services to the school and families. Many charter schools create a community hub resulting in safer neighborhoods.

Charter schools operate on three basic principles:

• Choice: Charter schools give families an opportunity to pick the school most suitable for their child’s educational well-being. Teachers choose to create and work at schools where they directly shape the best working and learning environment for their students and themselves. Likewise, charter sponsors choose to authorize schools that are likely to best serve the needs of the students in a particular community.
• Accountability: Charter schools are judged on how well they meet the student achievement goals established by their charter contract. Charter schools must also show that they can perform according to rigorous fiscal and managerial standards. If a charter school cannot perform up to the established standards, it will be closed.
• Freedom: While charter schools must adhere to the same major laws and regulations as all other public schools, they are freed from the red tape that often diverts a school’s energy and resources away from educational excellence. Instead of constantly jumping through procedural hoops, charter school leaders can focus on setting and reaching high academic standards for their students.

Answer: Tuition is FREE! The Mavericks Charter High School model is designed to provide tuition-free Florida high school enrollment to all students on a year-round basis. Students enrolling during the school year may start immediately and will be assessed according to their academic, job and social needs so that they may be placed into the most appropriate learning path.

Answer: A total of 24 credits is needed, but may include transferred credits from a previously attended school. A student may work at their own pace to graduate within as early as 2 yrs.

Answer: The Mavericks Charter High Schools (MCHS) and Mavericks Management System [MMS] provides online web-based access to a series of comprehensive assessments that test students in core curricular subject areas - Mathematics, Literature and the Arts, Writing, Science, and Social Sciences. Pretests pinpoint individual student skill deficiencies and assist teachers in assigning lessons that develop those skills.

Answer: Mavericks Charter High Schools understands the students we serve have many needs that go beyond the attainment of a high school diploma. Addressing these needs is essential to student participation and attendance during the education process.

Answer: The Mavericks Charter High Schools’ model is designed to provide tuition-free Florida high school enrollment to all students on a year-round basis. Students may start immediately and will be assessed according to their academic, job and social needs so that they may be placed into the most appropriate learning path.

Answer: At Mavericks Charter High Schools, we’ve designed our school schedule around the needs and lifestyles of our students. We recognize that many students have lifestyle needs such as family and work responsibilities as well as times when they may learn best.

At select schools, there is a choice of three, five-hour sessions, (morning, midday, or late afternoon) gives students the greatest flexibility, most efficient and productive use of their time. Students work exclusively on core curriculum and graduation requirements. There are no distractions and no waste of time. Not all schools offer the late afternoon session.

Answer: Students attending a Mavericks Charter High Schools begin with a clear objective of earning a state-recognized diploma. As a holder of a State Certified Florida high school diploma, graduates will be able to compete with other public and private high school graduates for jobs and acceptance into colleges, universities and the military.

High school graduation is the acknowledgment and the reward for meeting the benchmarks established that define a level of competency in all required high school subject areas. A high school diploma confirms an important and recognized milestone of academic achievement. It is a great source of individual pride and a ticket to a future.

Answer: Graduation will be offered at the end of the school year. Mavericks Charter High Schools will be open on a first-come, first-served basis to any at-risk student residing within the District. Outside of being an at-risk student who lives within the school district and who is in need of an educational alternative that works, there will not be any specific requirements for admission other than age-appropriate to enter high school or dropout status. Enrollment will not be denied to any eligible applicants on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. The School will also not discriminate in its pupil admissions policies or practices whether on the basis of intellectual or athletic ability, measures of achievement or aptitude, or any other basis that would be illegal if used by any public school.

Answer: Mavericks Charter High Schools will enroll high school age students, 15-21, that are at-risk of dropping out or have dropped out of high school. The Mavericks Charter High Schools’ model is designed to provide tuition-free Florida high school enrollment to all students on a year-round basis.

Answer: While at school, students are required to follow the dress code. A red, white, or blue collared shirt is to be worn at school. Logos, if present, must not exceed 1″ in diameter. Blue denim, navy, or khaki shorts, pants or skirts belted at the waist. shorts and skirts must be no shorter than 3″ above the knee. T-shirts, sandals, slides slippers, backless shoes, offensive images or languages, holes, tears, visible undergarments or see-through fabrics will not be allowed. Backpacks are unnecessary and not permitted in school. Ladies’ shorts/skirts should be mid-length or longer; gentlemen’s shorts/jeans must be held up with a belt. The showing of undergarments will not be allowed. Backpacks are unnecessary and not permitted in school. Hats, other head covering, sunglasses and bandanas are not permitted in school.

Answer: Mavericks Charter High Schools are equal opportunity employers, seeking diversity. As we build our education organization we are seeking qualified teachers and assistants who have a passion to educate and inspire young people. Our students have a strong need to work with teachers who appreciate their Maverick spirits and who will enjoy building a bond of love that establishes or re-establishes respect and appreciation for educators.