Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy
Encyclopedia
The Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy was founded in 1999 by Dr. William (Bill) Proser. It is a public charter school
that provides college preparatory education for grades 6–12.
Academy Vision: Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy exists in order to promote and implement academic excellence in our student body. Further, we seek to ensure that our graduates are knowledgeable and proficient users of language so that they may: succeed in school, participate in our democracy, find challenging and rewarding work, appreciate and contribute to our culture, and pursue their own goals and interests as independent learners throughout their lives. Included in this vision are the following broad educational goals and objectives:
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy maintains accreditation through the National Association of Accredited Schools (N.A.A.S.).
School of Choice -Unlike ordinary public schools, the Academy is a school students and parents choose to attend. This choice involves an acceptance of the school mission and goals and an agreement to support them.
Academics First -The Academy is unapologetically an academic institution first. We acknowledge, however, that many top colleges expect students to participate in activities outside of the classroom. We wish for our students to be successful in areas other than academics, but require that every student who wishes to represent our school in sports, forensics, or any other endeavor first be a student in good standing. Our athletes, debaters, and performers must be scholar-athletes, scholar-debaters, and scholar-performers. We will prepare all of our students for enrollment and success in institutions of higher education.
Academic Rigor -The Academy was founded specifically to combat the increasing problems of grade inflation and lowering standards. We flatly reject the practice of grading based on perceived effort, instead focusing on real accomplishment and demonstrated mastery of subject matter measured against a high, objective standard. Students can expect challenging coursework and a demanding workload focusing on both core knowledge and higher-order reasoning skills. These demands will require an exceptional work ethic on the part of the student. The student who perseveres will realize true self-esteem and succeed in the difficulties sure to occur in adult life.
Pedagogical Freedom -The Academy hires teachers as experts in their fields. Teachers have control over curriculum decisions and instructional methods, as long as they are in compliance with established standards. Students and parents have a right to voice concerns, but ultimately, the teachers and administrators determine classroom practices.
Discipline and Respect - Faculty and administration provide a safe, secure, positive environment where students can flourish. We care enough about students to communicate frankly with parents, require attendance, and hold students accountable. The Academy is proud to be recognized as a school that does not allow misbehavior and lawlessness. Academy students will respect peers and adults, and will exercise self-discipline. Students who refuse to follow basic Academy rules will receive penalties to discourage noncompliance and to place focus back on education. Although not a specific course offering, character development is a part of every class at the Academy.
Uniforms -The Academy uniform is essential to the atmosphere of academic excellence we wish to achieve. By accepting admission to the Academy, a student and his or her parents agree to know and conform to the uniform policy. Refusal to conform to the uniform policy constitutes rejection of Academy standards.
We believe these to be defining elements of the Charter Academy. They separate us from the schools our students and their parents have rejected. Failure to maintain these ideals is a failure to pursue our mission.
Charter school
Charter schools are primary or secondary schools that receive public money but are not subject to some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools in exchange for some type of accountability for producing certain results, which are set forth in each school's charter...
that provides college preparatory education for grades 6–12.
Mission and Vision
Academy Mission: Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy is dedicated to providing a rigorous, content-rich, college preparatory education for any students who are willing to accept the challenge.Academy Vision: Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy exists in order to promote and implement academic excellence in our student body. Further, we seek to ensure that our graduates are knowledgeable and proficient users of language so that they may: succeed in school, participate in our democracy, find challenging and rewarding work, appreciate and contribute to our culture, and pursue their own goals and interests as independent learners throughout their lives. Included in this vision are the following broad educational goals and objectives:
- To refine our students' academic skills including reading, writing, speaking, and thinking, and to advance their knowledge of the major disciplines of language arts, mathematics, science, and history.
- To learn the traditions and values of past and present civilizations.
- To gain an appreciation of the fine arts of music, art and drama.
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy maintains accreditation through the National Association of Accredited Schools (N.A.A.S.).
National Ranking
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy is ranked as one of the top 100 high schools in the nation by Newsweek, U.S.News and World Report, and Business Week.Foundational Values
The Charter Academy was founded to prepare students for success in post-high school life, regardless of their choice of occupation. Our mission statement is clear: “rigorous, content-rich college preparatory education for any students who are willing to accept the challenge.” The following list represents the non-negotiable core values of the Academy, which are necessary for achieving our mission. Compromising these values will weaken the institution.School of Choice -Unlike ordinary public schools, the Academy is a school students and parents choose to attend. This choice involves an acceptance of the school mission and goals and an agreement to support them.
Academics First -The Academy is unapologetically an academic institution first. We acknowledge, however, that many top colleges expect students to participate in activities outside of the classroom. We wish for our students to be successful in areas other than academics, but require that every student who wishes to represent our school in sports, forensics, or any other endeavor first be a student in good standing. Our athletes, debaters, and performers must be scholar-athletes, scholar-debaters, and scholar-performers. We will prepare all of our students for enrollment and success in institutions of higher education.
Academic Rigor -The Academy was founded specifically to combat the increasing problems of grade inflation and lowering standards. We flatly reject the practice of grading based on perceived effort, instead focusing on real accomplishment and demonstrated mastery of subject matter measured against a high, objective standard. Students can expect challenging coursework and a demanding workload focusing on both core knowledge and higher-order reasoning skills. These demands will require an exceptional work ethic on the part of the student. The student who perseveres will realize true self-esteem and succeed in the difficulties sure to occur in adult life.
Pedagogical Freedom -The Academy hires teachers as experts in their fields. Teachers have control over curriculum decisions and instructional methods, as long as they are in compliance with established standards. Students and parents have a right to voice concerns, but ultimately, the teachers and administrators determine classroom practices.
Discipline and Respect - Faculty and administration provide a safe, secure, positive environment where students can flourish. We care enough about students to communicate frankly with parents, require attendance, and hold students accountable. The Academy is proud to be recognized as a school that does not allow misbehavior and lawlessness. Academy students will respect peers and adults, and will exercise self-discipline. Students who refuse to follow basic Academy rules will receive penalties to discourage noncompliance and to place focus back on education. Although not a specific course offering, character development is a part of every class at the Academy.
Uniforms -The Academy uniform is essential to the atmosphere of academic excellence we wish to achieve. By accepting admission to the Academy, a student and his or her parents agree to know and conform to the uniform policy. Refusal to conform to the uniform policy constitutes rejection of Academy standards.
We believe these to be defining elements of the Charter Academy. They separate us from the schools our students and their parents have rejected. Failure to maintain these ideals is a failure to pursue our mission.