DWC announces sponsorship of premier NH charter school
 

(January 21, 2006) - Daniel Webster College (DWC), Nashua, is pleased to announce its sponsorship of a New Hampshire charter school proposal for science and design.

The application for a cutting-edge, premiere school for science, mathematics, engineering and design, the Academy for Science and Design, was submitted to the State Board of Education in Concord January 20. If authorized, the public charter school would provide the highest required-course program for math and sciences in the Granite State and a world-competitive high school curriculum. The school design proposes linkages with global industries and regional and state colleges with programs in science and engineering.

"As a preeminent institution of higher science and engineering education, we have come to see the necessity to plant the seeds of such competence early," said Daniel Webster President Dr. Robert E. Myers. "Daniel Webster College is pleased and proud to commend for your positive consideration this proposal for the Academy for Science and Design," he wrote in the college's endorsement of the state application.

At full capacity, the proposed Academy for Science and Design would serve 450 students in grades 7 through 12; the plan proposes a September 2007 opening, allowing 1½ years for planning and marketing. Program development and outreach to schools, colleges, and industry will be overseen by a design team of math, science, engineering, education, and marketing specialists.

As proposed, academy juniors and seniors will select an area of focus from a half dozen curriculum strands: aeronautics/aviation; chemistry and bio-medicine; space and celestial science; environment and sustainability; architecture and engineering (mechanical, civil, and electrical); mathematics; and computer science, systems, and simulations. Additionally, programs for all grades will be enriched by regular one or two-day immersion courses and seminars offering intense, short-term introductions to specialized topics. The academy program will expose students to the breadth of opportunity from the wide range of specialized science and engineering applications.

As with other countries, students can begin physics and algebra in grade 7 so they have more opportunity to start higher level science/math programs in high school. Advancement will be based on demonstrated subject mastery and not "time in seats." The school's proposal also stresses the high importance the academy will place on student health, well-being, and support, as well as their having a well-rounded experience.

The concept of a public high school for science, math and engineering has been on entrepreneurial minds for some time. In 2003, charter school specialist Dr. Susan Hollins, in conjunction with the Department of Education, coordinated a full-day program for school leaders with presenters from some half-dozen science charter schools, with the goal to stimulate thinking. Since then, several small groups have considered models available in other states, e.g.  the "virtual" high school and the environmental science high school. When science charter school efforts were discontinued by a group in Keene area, the project's co-coordinator, Dr. Matora Fiorey, took up an invitation to begin anew working with Hollins, with a focus on the Concord-Nashua corridor. Within a year, the Academy for Science and Design emerged, with faculty input from Daniel Webster College, University of New Hampshire, and MIT. Gathering extensive data about needs, vision, and program from advisors and schools around the world, Hollins and Fiorey collaborated on the charter application.

New Hampshire is one of the few remaining states in the country without a high school for science, technology, and/or engineering. According to Hollins, the call from colleges, industry, and community members for a charter school of this type has been both enthusiastic and urgent.

According to state statute, the Department of Education now has 10 days to review the proposal for completion and then the proposal will be considered for authorization by the State Board of Education.

"More than one business or foundation has already made a commitment to this school," said Hollins. "Funds have been offered for a development program to raise money for facility, labs, and an endowment. The outreach for support will draw attention to all of the state's charter schools, The outreach will be global. We'd like to get started right away."

Charter schools are public schools of choice and, like any public school, are free. Under state and federal law, if more students apply than there are spaces available, students are accepted by lottery. Choice schools are an education priority of the US legislature, the US Office of Education, state leaders and countries around the world. New Hampshire received a $7.2 million grant to assist start-up of 15 charter schools and to date, eight schools have been authorized to open.

For additional information about the Academy for Science and Design, visit www.asdnh.org or contact Susan Hollins, Ph.D. or Matora Fiorey, Ph.D. at info@nhschoolreform.org or call 603-224-0366. Hollins/Fiorey have agreed to shepherd in the program for DWC. Annette Kurman, director of external relations at Daniel Webster College, is the key contact for the college at 603-577-6625.

Daniel Webster College provides undergraduate and graduate programs to traditional and non-traditional students from its Nashua and Portsmouth campuses in a wide breadth of professional areas, including aeronautic and mechanical engineering, aviation flight operations, air traffic management, computer science, business and management, and social science. For more information about Daniel Webster's programs, visit www.dwc.edu.