How is a charter school different from a neighborhood public school?

A charter school operates as a public school under its local school district but provides something unique. TPCA is governed by its own Board of Directors and operates on its own budget. The K-8 curriculum is based on the Core Knowledge sequence, students follow a uniform-style dress code and parents support the programs through volunteer time, talents, or treasure. Character education follows the “Six Pillars of Character”: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.

What are the school hours? 

Full Day K – 8th hours are 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Half-day AM Kindergarten hours are 8:00 – 11:15 AM

Half-day PM Kindergarten hours are 11:45 - 3:00 PM

Parents are responsible for arranging transportation for their students. The school provides supervision and convenient curbside drop-off and pick-up during the above time-frames.

What is the class size?

K half day – 20

K full day – 25

Grades 1-5 – 26

Middle school - < 28 

Do you follow the same calendar as SVVSD?

Our calendar is the same for the major breaks but differs on other non-student days. TPCA does NOT observe the monthly "late-start" days scheduled by the SVVSD. TPCA students do not have school on scheduled staff Professional or staff Work days. We also have early release (1:00 PM) on two days in October for Q 1 Parent-Teacher Conferences and two days in March for Q 3 Parent Teacher conferences. Half day kindergarten meets fewer days because of the Parent-Teacher Conference schedule and Kindergarten classes meet on an altered schedule for the first two days of school in August.   

Do we have to come back in through a lottery next year if we accept an enrollment offer this year?

No, but we do require parents to re-enroll their students each year for the following year during a re-enrollment timeframe before the annual lottery. This is also when siblings can apply for enrollment.

Do you have a school lunch program?

Yes, TPCA offers lunch under the SVVSD food service program with the same prices as well as federal free and reduced lunches for qualifying families. Students may also pack a lunch for any or all days. We do not offer breakfast.

Are there any costs to attend TPCA?

TPCA is a public school within the SVVSD. There is no tuition. An annual student fee is collected at the time of enrollment or annual re-enrollment. It provides for personal supplies and equipment purchased by the school for student use in science, art, computer, PE, and music. It also provides for school-provided consumables and laminating. Families who qualify for the federal Free Lunch or Reduced Lunch program have this fee reduced. All students are also requested to bring specific, necessary supplies for their own use in the classroom. Other fees may be charged for optional activities including Middle School sports. 

What about transportation?

Parents are responsible to provide transportation for their student. Carpooling is encouraged and the school suggests using Ride Arrangers or the self-serve car-pool information exchange board at the school.  Drop-off and Pick-up procedures provide for safe and convenient drive-up options.

What about homework requirements?

Because of the focus on academic rigor, students typically have more homework at TPCA than at other schools. Although this varies from student to student depending on their work style, the average to expect is:

K: 15 min. starting in November

1: 20-25 min.

2: 30 min.

3: 30-40 min.

4: 45 min. to 1 hr.

5: 1 hr.

6-8: 1- 1.5 hr

What kind of special events and after-school activities are offered?

Optional activities typically offered at different times throughout the school year include:

Staff-led: 2-5 Running Club; K-8 Community Garden project; 5th grade Rock Wall Camp; MS Jazz Band; MS Sports: Cross Country, Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Track; 6th Grade Outdoor Education Field trip; 7th Grade International Towne; 8th Grade Washington DC trip; MS Debate team

Parent-led: K-8 Chess Club; K-8 Odyssey of the Mind teams; Math Counts team

Student-led: MS Dances; K-5 Movies

Community-led: Sports camps, Character Players

Note: The YMCA operates an after-school day care program on our site.

Is there an opportunity for student shadow visits? 

Starting in November, prospective 6th-10th graders may schedule a half day visit to shadow a current TPCA student.  If the student wants to shadow a friend who attends TPCA, we will try to arrange the pairing if possible.  Instead of shadow visits for incoming K-5th graders, we invite you and your student to a Thursday afternoon tour.  Thursday tours are held at 1:45 so you can see students and teachers engaged in school activities.

Grade 6-8 or High School shadow visits may be scheduled on most Thursday or Friday mornings, 8:00 AM- 12:30 PM.

To set up shadowing, please contact our School Counselor, Lori West at 303.772.7286 X 57065 or west_lori@svvsd.org.  Mrs. West also provides high school tours at 1:30 PM on all Fridays when school is in session.  Please let us know if you plan to attend a Friday tour.