What Why

Community

General Topics

Key Biscayne Charter High School

Q: Why a High School for the children of Key Biscayne?

Q: What is the proposal?

Q: What will the benefits be?

Q: How can parents and residents help?

Additional information

Why a High School for the children of Key Biscayne?

Demographics: A projected 3,428 children in the 1 - 19 age group, approximately 872 of them in high school age, do not have the choice of attending secondary education within their community. See Census 2000, youth population projections and high school age estimations.

Public education options: Coral Gables HS, assigned to Key Biscayne, is located 11 miles away. No connection with our community. Requires 2 hours of daily commute - or an equivalent to 60 full school days. Operating at 130% of capacity. A good solution back years ago, but school has significantly deteriorated over the last decade. Only 47% of senior grade students take the SAT and 38% take the ACT - suggesting less than 50% of students continue on to college.

In spite of the $51.8M in school taxes the Village paid in 2008, M-DCPS has ignored for decades the needs of our community and just uses a miniscule fraction of the money we pay to operate the deteriorating KB K-8 Center.

Private education options: Few. Away from the community. Costly ($20,000 + per year on average). Requires some children to leave the Village after elementary to enter a private middle school to secure a spot at the high school. Double taxation to parents with school-age children.

Community-School-Family context: School will promote community cohesiveness, positive youth development and civic education in the context of children's community.

What is the proposal?

World-class school: Focused on accountability, producing world class graduates and responsible citizens ready for life and higher education, the underpinnings of a knowledge-based global economy and society.

Curriculum: Rigorous and flexible curriculum with a a personalized academic program incorporating the recognized International Baccalaureate Diploma as an option. Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement options have also been incorporated in the curriculum. See curriculum page.

Municipal Charter High School: Allowing our community to design, implement and operate the school based on the needs of the students of our community, and away from the constrains imposed by a rigid and disengaged M-DCPS school district. Learn about charter schools.

Location: A 25,000 sq. ft. of efficiently planned facility will serve the needs of a 400-students school. The most viable options found are the empty lot at 530 Crandon Blvd., a reconfiguration of the 2nd floor at the Village Hall, and / or the Village Hall parking lot..

Multi-purpose facility: Facility to be utilized as a lifelong learning center for use by the entire community in the afternoon, evening and weekends - 365 days a year; providing intergenerational opportunities for continuing education, cultural and recreational programs for residents of all ages.

Cost: Operations will be self-funded by money received from the State of Florida, coming back to the community from taxes already paid, complemented with Federal and State grants available to charter schools. See cost details.

School's capacity: Building over 6 years to an estimated 400 students in grades 9 - 12. Starting operations in 2010-2011 school year.

What will the benefits be?

Improved quality of life: Over 3,000 children - and their families - having the choice to attend a world-class high school in their community, while providing for expanded cultural, recreational and lifelong learning opportunities for residents of all ages - 365 days a year.

Community cohesiveness: The school and lifelong learning center will foster meaningful interaction between different age groups, which is the most significant component in building a cohesive community. Mentorship opportunities for adults, and school's service learning programs benefiting adults, will promote intergenerational symbiotic relationships. Social inclusion and empowerment of our youth will also ensure youth have a sense of belonging and that they can contribute meaningfully to the community as they feel to have a stake. See community advantages.

Increased and sustained real estate property values: A minimum of 10% appreciation would be expected, plus immediate increase demand in residential and commercial property demand.

More sustainable retail business: About $2.7M tax money coming back to the community, and a larger customer base, will enhance business sustainability to competitively offer the services our community needs.

See additional benefits.

How can parents and residents help?

Learn more about the initiative: Review this website, particularly the Frequent Q&A, benefits and community sections.

Subscribe as a supporter: Keep inform of activities and developments. Let the community know you support the school initiative. Subscribe now.

Volunteer: Participate in events; recruit supporters; be an active participant of making the school a reality. Register as a volunteer.

Donate: High School advocacy is quite expensive. Web site, printing, advertising, promotional events, informational meetings, legal fees, mailing, etc. really add up. You can make a tax deductible contribution through the Key Biscayne Education Foundation. Donate now.

Additional information

Please visit Frequent Q&A for a more comprehensive list of questions. Also benefits and community pages.