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RCMA operates two
charter schools (public schools
of choice), the Immokalee Community School in eastern Collier County
and the Wimauma Academy in southeastern Hillsborough County, which
provide a unique opportunity for RCMA to extend its positive impact on
children.
With a combined enrollment of
more than 350
students in the 2006-07 school year, the schools provide a seamless
transition for children as they progress from RCMA’s early childhood
and pre-kindergarten programs into elementary school.
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Instead of going to other public schools after
pre-kindergarten, rural and migrant children continue to learn and
develop in familiar surroundings with teachers and staff of similar
backgrounds at RCMA’s charter schools. Test results confirm that the longer students
remain with RCMA, they better they perform in school. Our children’s
improvement between kindergarten and third grade on reading
assessments, for example, |
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The Immokalee
Community School has 180 students in kindergarten through fifth grade |
is dramatic. When one considers that
many of our students are tested in their second language, their
accomplishments are quite impressive.
Several
characteristics distinguish RCMA charter schools from others:
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Most students
speak English as a second language.
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Students are
required to wear uniforms.
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Former migrant
farm workers are among teachers and staff.
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Class sizes are
small, 17 students compared to 20 or more.
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Schools are open
from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., offering programs before and after the 7:45
a.m. to 2:45 p.m. school day.
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Parental
involvement is required.
The academic focus is
the improvement of language and math using a thematic and integrative
approach, which immerses students in an enriched environment that
reflects the complexities of life. The results include improved
language, academics and literacy, increased self-esteem and desirable
social skills.
The Immokalee
Community School (kindergarten through sixth grade) and Wimauma
Academy (pre-kindergarten through fifth) were originally
chartered in 2000. In 2005, the School Boards of Collier and
Hillsborough Counties renewed RCMA’s charters to operate the schools
for another five years.
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