FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Lefferts Gardens Charter School
What is the Lefferts Gardens Charter School?
When will the Lefferts Gardens Charter School open?
How are charter schools different from conventional NYC public schools?
How large will class sizes be?
Will you offer art and music? Physical education?
Where will the school be based?
How many students will be admitted?
How do I apply to the Lefferts Gardens Charter School? How are admissions determined?
Will you have a Gifted and Talented Program?
Will the school serve children with special needs?
How can people support the Lefferts Gardens Charter School?
What is the Lefferts Gardens Charter School?
The Lefferts Gardens Charter School is a K-5 school open since September 2010 in Brooklyn's community school district #17 (including Prospect Lefferts Gardens and parts of Crown Heights and Flatbush). The school uses an environmental science program to develop academically motivated and civic-minded students to succeed in competitive high school and college programs. We draw heavily on local resources including the wonderful fields and trees, water and wildlife of Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Children's Museum, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and the Prospect Park Zoo to create on-site learning opportunities.
When will the Lefferts Gardens Charter School open?
We opened our doors in September 2010 for the 2010-2011 school year, starting with Kindergarten and First Grade .In our second year, we have Kindergarten through Second Grade.
What is a charter school?
"Charter schools are public schools that operate independently according to the terms of a five-year performance contract or 'charter.' Charter schools commit to meet specific goals for academic performance and their charter can be revoked if agreed-upon results are not attained.
Like all publicly funded schools, charter schools must meet Regents requirements and state laws for health, safety, civil rights and student assessment. In addition, charter schools must accept all students and cannot discriminate in their admission policy. " (Taken from NYC Charter School Center)
How are charter schools different from conventional NYC public schools?
"Charter schools can be started by educators, parents, community leaders and not-for profit organizations. They are governed by a not-for-profit board of trustees. They are exempt from many state and local regulations regarding curriculum development, personnel hiring and financial management, but must succeed in meeting or exceeding the goals established for their academic programs. " (from NYC Charter School Center)
How large will class sizes be?
Each class will have 27 students. In Kindergarden, Grade 1, and Grade 2, there are two teachers per class, for a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.5:1. In grades 3, 4, and 5, there is one teacher per class and one floating paraprofessional (teacher's aid) for each grade. In grades 3-5 there is one floating teacher and one floating paraprofessional.
Will you offer art and music? Physical education?
Yes! We have extended our school day for a half-hour over the traditional public school day to allow for 30 minutes of physical education every day. We will also offer art and music a total of two hours a week at each grade level.
Where is the school based?
Lefferts Gardens Charter School is located in PS 92, which is located on Parkside Ave and Rogers in the Lefferts Gardens area of Brooklyn.
How many students are admitted?
Each year, 78 kindergarten students and 78 first graders are admitted.Students are admitted to all other grades based on the number of seats that become available. Each year following, a new group of 78 kindergarten students will be added.
How do I apply to the Lefferts Gardens Charter School? How are admissions determined?
Lefferts Gardens Charter School is a free, public school. All children living in New York City may apply and will be admitted unless we receive more applications than we have seats. In that case, applications will be selected by lottery. Neither race, religion, disability, nor language proficiency will be a factor in admissions.
After the first year, siblings of current students will have priority before the lottery. After siblings, students living in community school district #17 are given preference in the lottery process as well.
LGCS will have an application deadline of March 31, 2012 for September 2012 placement.
It is important to remember that, like all charter schools, Lefferts Gardens Charter School determines admissions by lottery. No preferences are given to children whose parents volunteer, make donations, or work for the school.
Will you have a Gifted and Talented Program?
No. Charter schools in New York City don't have gifted and talent programs.
Will the school serve children with special needs?
LGCS will serve all children in our community, including children with special needs.
When will you be hiring?
The Lefferts Gardens Charter School accepts applications and resumes throught the year. For more information, see Job Openings.
How can people support the Lefferts Gardens Charter School?
There are several things you can do to help:
Volunteer. We can use all the help you can give us!
Make a donation. We are in the process of establishing ourselves as a nonprofit. At that point, we'll start raising money for all the usual reasons that schools need money and to help move us toward our goal of our own green school building. Join us!
As mentioned above, Lefferts Gardens Charter School volunteers, employees, and donors will not receive any admissions preferences for their children.