Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Heartwood located?
Heartwood is located in Jefferson, NH, surrounded by the beautiful White Mountains. A beautiful property nestled in a lovely wooded area, we are excited that Heartwood finally has a place to call home.
What grades does Heartwood serve?
Heartwood is approved for K-8, and will be opening with grades K-5 in 2022. Our first year of 5th graders will be able to move up through 8th grade at Heartwood.
Why the charter school model?
Heartwood Public Charter School creates an additional public school option in the Coös County region for children and families who are looking for an alternative approach to their child’s education. New Hampshire charter schools are unique. Unlike other states, all of the charter schools in New Hampshire were founded by local parents, teachers and administrators that identified a need in their community, and designed a public school option to fill those needs. This public charter school model provides us the flexibility to choose new and innovative approaches for teaching and learning.
Why placed-based, project-based, and nature based education?
We are fortunate to live in a region that is defined by its natural beauty, hard-working people, and tight-knit communities. With emphasis on connecting students with their greater community, our place-based model allows students to learn from the people and places around them, while also helping to foster a greater understanding of the value of education within our community. Studies have also shown that learning outside in nature supports creativity and problem solving, enhances cognitive abilities, improves academic performance, and also has physical and mental health benefits. With our approach, we hope to integrate the goals of:
Student Achievement: Placed-Based Education boosts students' engagement, academic achievement, and sense of personal efficacy as stewards of their local environment and community.
Community Social and Economic Vitality: Placed-based education forges strong ties between local social and environmental organizations and their constituencies in the schools and community, which helps to improve quality of life and economic vitality.
Ecological Integrity: Through project and nature-based learning, students make tangible contributions to resolving local environmental issues and conserving local environmental quality.
Is it really free?
Yes! Charter schools are public schools and tuition-free for residents of New Hampshire. Out-of-state students may be charged tuition. We are a state authorized and approved pubic charter school, so we are a district paid for choice for our nearby friends and neighbors from the Vermont NEK Choice School district, though NH students do get admission preference.
Wait, don’t charter schools take money from public schools?
Charter schools are public schools. All public schools in NH receive a base state adequacy amount of approx $3,724.27 per pupil. When a child attends a charter school, this state portion of adequacy aid (about $3,700 FY17) is sent directly to the charter school. Local taxpayer dollars remain in the district and do not forward to the charter school. Because New Hampshire charter schools do not receive local tax dollars, the state legislature provides charter schools with an additional $3,411 per pupil FY17.
In 2017, the state average cost per pupil to educate a traditional public school student in grades 1-12 was $15,000+, with the majority of funding (60-70%) coming from the local tax payer. State Authorized charter schools are funded directly by the state at $7,100 per student, considerably less than the statewide average expenditure. Fiscally, charter schools have demonstrated greater efficiency than traditional public schools.
What about Special Education?
As an open enrollment public school, Heartwood Charter School will accept applications from any child who is a New Hampshire resident, and will not discriminate against any child with a disability. Under New Hampshire’s charter school law, when a child with disabilities attends a chartered public school, all current options available to the parent and the school district are retained. In order to ensure appropriate and adequate services will be provided for our students, we will be working closely with our host district to ensure that services are provided to students with IEPs regardless of where they attend class.
Are your teachers State-certified?
Yes, as required by the state of NH, a minimum of 50% of our teachers are certified in New Hampshire. In addition, our teachers have Place Based Education training, as well as an understanding and commitment to the implementation of positive and conscious discipline. Heartwood educators work as a team to guide social and emotional development. We recognize that guiding children through logical and natural consequences and identifying and addressing lagging skills will provide lifelong social and emotional competence.
Does this school have to meet the same standards as other public schools?
Yes. At Heartwood we pledge to deliver an academic experience that exceeds the NH State Standards.
What is Heartwood’s admission policy?
By law, charter schools must have a fair and open admissions process, conducting outreach and recruitment to all segments of the community they serve. When more students apply than can be accommodated, charter schools are required by state and federal law to use a lottery to randomly determine which students are accepted. Please see pages 33 & 34 of our Charter and our Enrollment page to learn more about our admission procedures.
When is the application due for the lottery system?
Our open enrollment period for the 2023-24 school year is February 27–March 13, 2023. Please see our Enrollment page for more information, and check back often.
What is the maximum number of students in a grade/class?
We have strategically devised a system that alternates between single grade and mixed grade classrooms to best accommodate the developmental needs of our students. Our maximum enrollment will be at full capacity of 108 students, with a maximum of 12 students in our single grade classrooms and 24 students in our mixed grade classrooms. Our student-teacher ratio will help shape our thriving classroom culture. Kindergarten, grade 3, and grade 6 are single grade classrooms, while 1&2, 4&5, and 7&8 are mixed grades. Each classroom will have one (1) Lead Teacher in the lower elementary grades, and share three (3) Assistant Teachers. The upper elementary will have one (1) Lead Teacher, and will share two (2) Assistant Teachers. Our student-teacher ratio will ensure that our students receive the individualized attention they need on a daily basis. These ratios allow for entire classroom collaborations and small-group work as well. We will have additional teacher presence as needed during growth years.
Why a 4-day week?
The benefits are many, both for students and for staff. The extra work day on Friday gives teachers more sustained time to collaborate, refine curriculum, and develop professionally, which results in more effective, efficient, and fun learning experiences for students. It also gives students more opportunity to rest and recharge for the week, spend time with family, or pursue passions outside of school. Most importantly, when surveyed, the families of our current students were in overwhelming support of the change.
Will the school offer extracurricular activities and sports?
A student who wants to play an organized sport not available at HPCS, may return to his or her district to play that sport. The student must follow all the standards and try-out procedures that the school district requires.
We live in VT, can our child attend?
Vermont children may attend HPCS, though per New Hampshire State regulations, NH students must receive enrollment preference.
How can I get involved?
We believe that family involvement is essential for our school to thrive, and that our students will be most successful when our teachers and families work together. We see parents/guardians and community members as key participants in both building and maintaining our school community, and hope that the ongoing presence of our students’ families will be the normative culture at Heartwood Public Charter School.
Please contact us with any questions or if you would like to help.
How do I apply to work at the school?
We are not currently hiring at this time, but will be in the future as we expand our school. Please contact us if you would like to volunteer your time!
Is there a way to donate to the school?
Yes. Thank you for your interest in supporting us! Donate here!