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: Over 3,000 children under the age of 18 do not have the choice of attending secondary education within their community. See Census 2000 and youth population projections.

Public education options: Coral Gables HS 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 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 well rounded personalized academic curriculum, organized and managed around the results that matter in today's modern world: core academics, critical thinking, problem solving, global awareness, communications and collaboration skills. See 21st Century learning.

Accredited Program: International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement, recognized by the best colleges and universities, as a choice for those students seeking acceptance at Ivy League or traditional prestigious higher education institutions.

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.

Multi-purpose facility: Between 20,000 and 25,000 sq. facility used as a school in the morning. 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.

Location: Consultants recommended two options: (1) remodeling and rearrangement of the overbuilt and underutilized Village Hall, (2) a new building on 530 Crandon Blvd. Read details.

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, State and private contributions. 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.