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Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy Charter PetitionIntroductionThe duration of this initial charter petition will be five years.The Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy, a PUC School, will open in September 2008. Themiddle school will be established to offer an additional charter alternative to existing publicmiddle schools serving the communities of the Northeast San Fernando Valley. Currently, threecharter middle schools (Community Charter, Lakeview and Triumph) serve the students living inthis geographic area. All three schools have extensive waiting lists for entry into sixth grade. Allthree middle schools operate under the governance of Partnerships To Uplift Communities(PUC). A multitude of parents and community members have requested the opening of a fourthPUC middle school to meet the demand for seats. It is in direct response to the communityrequests that PUC proposes to open this fourth campus.PUC schools have a track record of success. Dedicated to serving students who live in the twogeographic areas of NE Los Angeles and the NE San Fernando Valley, the first PUC school,Community Charter Middle School, was opened in the valley in 1999. The API score for the firstyear of operation was 528. The 2007 API score was 729, demonstrating growth of 201 pointsover the course of eight years of operation. California Academy for Liberal Studies (founded in2000) has experienced similar growth with an API score of 719 on the most recent test.Lakeview Charter Academy, a second middle school opened in 2005 to serve the valley, earned ascore of 708 in their first year of operation. Milagro, PUC’s only elementary school (serving NELos Angeles) scored 835 during their first year of operation. The API scores have consistentlyexceeded those of the schools in the same geographic areas. The students at all PUC schools arepredominantly Title 1.Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy will offer a high quality, rigorous and standards basedacademic program focusing on the core content areas: mathematics, history, science, languagearts, arts, and physical education. It will operate in a safe and caring environment where theentire community can learn, grow and live strong character values. It will provide ampleopportunities for parents to be actively involved in the educational development of their childrenand will emphasize the concept of stewardship in its fiscal and organizational management.As a charter school, Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy will: operate as a small community of learners offer a challenging curriculum grounded in sound educational theory with enoughsupport to ensure success integrate the use of arts and technology into the curriculum work with parents to develop their child’s character support parents as partners in the educational development of their childrenPartnerships to Uplift Communities111/24/2008

Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy Charter Petition Employ a committed and qualified teaching staff implement a community based decision making structure that honors the unique needsof the school community. offer its teaching staff a standards based professional development program offer students extended day enrichment and academic support programs create bridges with local public and private elementary and high schools and localcolleges and universities offer programs specifically designed to expose and prepare students for highereducationNueva Esperanza Charter Academy will be located in and serve the community of the NortheastSan Fernando Valley, including Pacoima, Arleta, Lakeview Terrace, Sylmar and San Fernando.As a charter school Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy will offer the residents of the NortheastSan Fernando Valley an alternative to the overcrowded middle schools, which currently serve thearea.Partnerships to Uplift Communities211/24/2008

Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy Charter PetitionAssurancesNueva Esperanza Charter Academy will: Be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices and all otheroperations. Not charge tuition. Not discriminate against any student on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, gender ordisability. Not enroll pupils over nineteen (19) years of age unless continuously enrolled in publicschool and making satisfactory progress toward high school diploma requirements. Not require any child to attend the charter school nor any employee to work at the charterschool. Comply with all laws relating to public agencies in general, all federal laws andregulations and state codes. Accepts and understands the grounds on which a charter may be revoked. In accordance with Education Code Section 47605 (d)(2)(A), admit all pupils wishing toattend the school. In accordance with Education Code Section 47605 (d)(2)(B), determine attendance by apublic random drawing with preference extended to pupils who reside in the district, ifthe number of pupils who wish to attend the school exceeds the school capacity. In accordance with Education Code Section 48200, if a pupil is expelled or leaves thecharter school without graduation or completing the school year for any reason, thecharter school shall notify the superintendent of the pupil’s last known address within 30days, and shall, upon request, provide that school district with a copy of the cumulativerecord of the pupil, including a transcript of grades or report card, and health information. Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy accepts and understands obligations to comply withspecific sections of the Education Code: Sections 47611 (STRS) and 41365 (RevolvingLoan Fund), and all laws establishing minimum age for public school attendance.Partnerships to Uplift Communities311/24/2008

Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy Charter PetitionElement 1: Educational Program1.1 Students the School Is Attempting To EducateNueva Esperanza Charter Academy will be located in and serve the community of the North EastSan Fernando Valley. As a charter school, NECA will offer the residents of North East SanFernando Valley an alternative to the overcrowded middle schools, which currently serve thearea. NECA will open with at least 100 sixth-grade students in September 2009 and we willcontinue to add a new sixth grade class each year until we reach a maximum capacity of 300students.1.2. Community DemographicsCompiled from United States Department of Commerce Census Data 2000PacoimaTotal populationHigh school graduatesCollege GraduatesHispanicBelow poverty levelPartnerships to Uplift ,5916,00453,86910,33411/24/2008

Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy Charter Petition1.2.1 Demographic Information for Prospective Site (Surrounding school data –Middle Schools)Compiled from Data Obtained from the California Department of Education Web siteBy and large most middle school students, who reside in the Northeast San Fernando Valley, attend one of the four middle schoolslisted below. The feeder high schools are San Fernando Senior High School, Sylmar High School and the new Community CharterEarly College High School.LAUSD Schools# SchoolsRankYear thnicity#2MajorEthnicity#35StudentsEligible forFree/ReducedLunch84.5%Maclay ricanAmericanAfricanAmericanAfricanAmericanSan FernandoMiddleSylmar HighSchoolSan FernandoHigh SchoolCharter Schools2,013NoYear 4YesYes5973,630NoYear 5NoNo3,753NoYear 1NoLakeview Charter(PUC)CommunityCharter SchoolMiddle School(PUC)Discovery CharterPreparatoryBERT CORONA116NoNoNoNo73371077.6%HispanicWhiteYear r 2NoNo7292182.8%HispanicPartnerships to Uplift anWhiteWhiteWhiteWhiteWhiteWhite

Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy Charter Petition1.3 NECA Mission StatementThe mission of Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy (NECA), a public middle school serving 6ththrough 8th grade students, is to offer a rigorous academic program with a focus on studentcharacter in order to prepare students for college preparatory high schools. We are committed tochallenging students to develop to their fullest potential in order to enrich and serve theircommunities. NECA will guide and nurture its students as they discover and cultivate theirunique gifts and talents, challenging each individual to achieve his or her full potential.1.3.1 CORE VALUESNueva Esperanza Charter Academy believes that the following community values are essentialfor the students’ success in higher education and beyond. These core values will assist in thedevelopment of students who become self-motivated, competent, life-long learners and who willenrich the communities in which they live:ScholarshipWe will invest in our futures by continually striving for academic excellence.LeadershipWe adopt a “can do” attitude, grasp opportunities and challenges, and workwith others to bring ideas to life.Social JusticeWe participate fully in creating a more just society; if we are not part of thesolution, we are part of the problem.ResponsibilityWe are accountable for our behavior and strive to make decisions based ongood judgment and sound thinking.IntegrityWe live up to the highest ethical standards by always trying to do what isright even when it is costly or difficult.DignityWe honor our heritages through poise and self-respect.CitizenshipWe do our part for the common good by using our talents to make positivecontributions to our communities.PerseveranceWe don’t give up when things seem difficult; we work harder, always do ourbest, and learn from our mistakes.RespectWe are considerate of others treating them with civility and courtesy. Weaccept personal difference and resolve conflicts with compassion.CommitmentWe pledge to invest in our futures by being reflective and disciplinedlearners.Partnerships to Uplift Communities611/24/2008

Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy Charter Petition1.4 School-Wide VisionWe recognize that a school wide vision evolves as the entire community examines its values,beliefs and goals. Core to the vision is a culture focused on a cycle of continuous improvement.The following is a statement about what we aspire to create

Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy Charter Petition Partnerships to Uplift Communities iv 11/24/2008 1.20 Use of Textbooks as a Resource in a Standards-Based School 48 1.21 English Language Learners 49 1.22 Nueva Espera