ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The first all-boys elementary charter school in Rochester is opening this fall, aiming to focus on STEM-based, collaborative learning.
Leaders at Green Tech Rochester say there are all-girls schools at the middle and high school levels, but no all-boys elementary schools. Dr. Christine Richards, principal of Green Tech Rochester, said the new school aims to create a nurturing environment where students can grow and succeed.
“We are looking to build a culture of nurture, growth, getting them to understand who they are, being free with who they are, wanting to learn and grow, and a nurturing, caring environment where we make sure that success is what they strive for,” Richards said.
The school will be located in the 30 Hart Street building, off St. Paul Street. Dr. Shayla Johnson, director of academic growth at Green Tech Rochester, said the school will establish early what education means for students starting in kindergarten.
“The brotherhood is what sold me. So getting them from the ground up, literally the same way we’re building this school, we’re getting these little boys from kindergarten on up,” Johnson said.
Johnson, the eldest of eight children, said she naturally moved into education and wants students to succeed. She has been a teacher for the last 10 years and is ready to help develop teachers who will directly impact students.
Aiming to boost education outcomes
Richards said that, after looking at literacy rates for young people in Rochester, it’s clear that something needs to change. She said the school will provide role models to show students what they can achieve.
When asked about concerns that charter schools drain resources and funds from public schools, Richards said education should be about working together.
“We’re all in this work of education to make sure that students get the best, and that at some point it shouldn’t be us against them. It needs to be us all working together to do what is best for our students and to give parents choices, to give our students options,” Richards said.
Richards said the goal is to work together to give parents choices and students options rather than forcing students into situations that don’t fit them.
Plan for the classroom
The school aims to have two teachers per classroom with a maximum of 25 students.
“We’re absolutely planning to have two teachers per classroom. No more than at max we look to maybe have 25 students in the classroom, but again, with a 2 to 2 teacher ratio. That way, students will still be able to get that individual attention, individualized support,” Richards said.
Richards said the school is designed to keep students engaged and moving rather than sitting in chairs listening to lectures.
“We’re looking again to have a classroom that is set up, that study, keep their focus, gain their interests, you know, hands on, the ability to move, the ability to kind of learn and not just be sitting in a chair having to force to listen to what the teacher is saying to them, but an atmosphere where the teachers are going to incorporate the students in their own learning,” Richards said.
For its first year, the school hopes to enroll 150 students across three classes each of kindergarten and first grade. The school plans to add one grade level each year until it reaches fifth grade.
The school will be free to attend as a public charter school with no tuition or scholarships needed. The deadline for the school lottery is Wednesday, April 1.
Green Tech Rochester is hosting a movie night on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Apple Cinemas at Greece Ridge Mall. Entry is free for all rising kindergarten and first-grade families.
Rochester set to get first all-boys elementary charter school, aiming to focus on hands-on learning WHEC.com.
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