Coral Community Charter School is New Mexico's first tuition free, public charter school offering single gender classes that serve both boys and girls in grades Pre-K through 5th. Coral Community Charter serves Albuquerque students, pre-K- 5th grade, who choose to attend. We are dedicated to providing single-gender classes, quality instruction, individualization, and family/community involvement to ensure students’ proficiency. Proficiency has no gender, but the strategies and instruction for reaching proficiency should and do differ. Educators know that both boys and girls have individual strengths and needs and most schools promote differentiated instruction to help teachers meet the needs of these students. We do not believe that all girls learn one way and all boys learn another way; we celebrate the diversity among girls and boys. There are differences, in general, within the sexes developmentally, physiologically, and how they learn. Providing gender-separate classrooms creates an opportunity that does not exist in the coed classroom. Used in conjunction with correct implementation, training and with other strategies, we believe Coral Community Charter will meet the needs of students. A school is only as excellent as its staff. Children will perform under the guidance of motivated, caring adults. Students excel under adults who demonstrate a willingness to be personally involved and dedicated to understanding and getting to know each and every student in the classroom. Brilliant teachers are not only masters of the material, but they are also masters of student observation and interaction. Every student is a potential high performer in the eyes of an effective teacher. In the cookie cutter curriculum system we currently have in place, with each student in the class using the same book, and every child doing an assignment from the same page, there is little room for the exuberant joy and love needed in order to pursue wisdom. Each child’s talents will be acknowledged and applauded. Each child will be encouraged to stretch and grow and expand. Coral Community Charter students will be stimulated by a curriculum that is specially designed to challenge them. With personalized educational plans, students can set their own pace, compete with their peers, and move forward as rapidly as they wish and are capable of doing. With set guidelines and checks and balances in place, students will be independent learners and go as far as they are able on any given day. When families are involved in their children's education, children earn higher grades and receive higher scores on tests, attend school more regularly, complete more homework, demonstrate more positive attitudes and behaviors, graduate from high school at higher rates, and are more likely to enroll in higher education than students with less involved families. Family/community involvement has been shown to be an important variable that positively influences children’s education. Coral Community feels that all families regardless of ability, culture, income, or educational background can contribute to the success of students. Using four main pillars, single-gender classes, quality instruction, individualization, and family/community involvement, Coral Community Charter will offer opportunities for students and their families that differ from other public schools. We intend to create a lively, colorful, stimulating and richly textured ‘oasis in the desert.’
