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Mapleton Public Schools led by choice

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Contributed by: Charlotte Ciancio on 8/20/2007

We can all remember the first days of school. For families and children, what happens at the school site is all they really know about how schools work. The infrastructure that is in place to support a child's learning is invisible to most. Why schools exist, how they are run, who works behind the scenes - is often taken for granted. For those who are willing to dig a little deeper, it is common place to hear of a District's strategic plan or master plan for improvement. It is common to hear reference to the Board of Education or to the central administrative team. It is uncommon to hear that a District works in partnership with their board of education and draws courage from their strategic plan - courage to lead based on deep commitment and clarity of purpose.

Mapleton Public Schools is leading the way - leading the thinking about how communities can plan for a new reality that values choice in the context of public schools.

At, Mapleton Public Schools, we identify ourselves as a diverse and innovative learning community. We are deeply rooted in our history and are passionately committed to the uniqueness and potential of all students. Our mission statement guarantees that each student achieves his or her dreams and contributes enthusiastically to his or her community and world. But, what sets us apart, are not simply words - what sets us apart are actions.

Our strategic plan calls forward an enticing menu of learning opportunities that embrace the unyielding commitment to academic excellence.

To answer this call, we started our work with the end in mind - expanding choice at the high school while phasing out and eventually closing our single comprehensive high school. In its place, we now offer students the choice of seven (7) college preparatory high schools: Global Leadership Academy; Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts (MESA); Mapleton Prep; Front Range Early College; Welby New Technology High School; York International, and Skyview Academy. All students are required to meet the same graduation requirements - the choice is in how they choose to learn.

In 2006 we closed all of our traditional elementary and middle schools while reopening smaller, new schools that are based on sound educational practices and unique methods of instruction. The extensive research that informed our decisions took school design teams across the country to identify the best systems and approaches to engage students in new and active ways. We now proudly offer our community a range of unique educational options that are typically only offered privately with a cost to families or through charter schools.

This year we are expanding our Montessori school to 3rd grade (each year we add a grade level until it serves students from kindergarten through 6th grade). We are also expanding our International Baccalaureate school which will add 9th grade this year (it will eventually enroll students kindergarten through 12th grade).

Advanced Placement, and Outward Bound experiences are included in Mapleton's portfolio of schools rounded out with schools designed around the arts, technology, language, leadership, and world cultures.

Our commitment that no obstacle shall impede a student's success is visible through the comprehensive and complex transportation plan that allows students living anywhere within the District viable choice - real choice that assures access.

We are no longer bound by a system of neighborhood schools. If a family chooses to attend a school outside of their neighborhood, we are happy to provide that transportation. Additionally, we offer transportation services to students who choose to participate in the District Arts and Athletic programs - many offered before or after the typical academic day.

Our plan insists that we work in an environment of integrity, encouragement and caring. The challenges and hopes of our community stay at the forefront of our thinking. We are uncompromising in our resolve to assure safe and secure learning environments where conflicts are resolved peacefully and productively. Our staff members are strong and courageous members of a powerful team - a team that is taking public education to a whole new level.

Finally, we commit that together, as a community, our children will succeed. We understand that our work is to serve the needs of our community. Our community has called for choice and we have responded. We work together to deliver on the promise that our kids achieve their dreams.

So how are we doing? Well it is too early to see the results of our work on the CSAP - but we'll see them soon. The end of the 2007 school year pointed to a variety of interesting and profoundly positive indicators of success: 100% of our graduating seniors applied to college with an astounding 84% accepted into the college of their choice. The Class of 2008 has the highest ACT results of any class in the past six years! We are looking for great things to come with that group of young people. One new school recently reported an amazing 93% of the students in 3rd grade who were proficient or advanced in reading.

As we open the doors for another school year, we welcome students to a future where they will see their dreams become a reality. We are, indeed paving the way to the future.

Charlotte Ciancio
Superintendent
Mapleton Public Schools

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John Eisel

Denver , COLORADO

John Eisel has posted 2865 stories and 12 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. John Eisel's average story rating is 4.39.

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