Gone is the old-fashioned notion that one-size-fits-all in modern education. No two children learn in the same way, and thus, the necessity and appeal for charter schools was born. A charter school, by definition, is a tuition free, independently operated public school that has the freedom to design their classrooms and methodologies to best meet the needs of its students.
Opened in the fall of 2003, and located in Grand Marais, Great Expectations School (GES) is a k-8 facility that enrolls roughly 110 students and employs 26 teachers and staff. Mr. Peter James has been the director of the charter school for over 15 years and explains that the focus of his school is to prioritize the social and emotional development of the learners who attend. It is of notable mention that the school is designed to provide the opportunity for new ideas and visions in education to take shape. While they do not have a single model for instruction, the school emphasizes the integration of subjects through environmental education where core skills are taught through the lens of learning about the natural world and environmental issues, both inside the classroom and outside in nature. This is achieved by the application of multidisciplinary, hands-on units and lesson plans.
Education at Great Expectations School (GES) doesn’t just take place in the classroom. Sometimes it takes place on a sheet of ice with kids wearing skates. Photo courtesy of Great Expectations
Parents and community members are involved in the safe and supportive school culture that has been created while implementing best teacher practices. Students (and staff) are fortunate to participate in innovative programming and outdoors activities like Firepit Fridays, snowshoeing, bird watching, recycling projects and ice-skating at the nearby community center rink.
Mr. James is dedicated to and passionate about the philosophy of Great Expectations, which centers around the need for students to be heard and respected before they are ready to engage in their learning. James explained that the goal is, “To go slow to go fast.” It is by these means that their graduates can be launched into a successful trajectory for the future.
On Thursday January 21, GES held their first school board meeting of the new year. They conduct their monthly meetings with a non-majority board consisting of parents, educators and community members. Due to the ongoing global pandemic, this meeting was held online via Zoom teleconferencing.
Most noteworthy, within their agenda, was the extension of a 5-year renewal of the school’s charter. A summary of the academic performance achieved on contractual goals was presented with all points having been met or exceeded. A strong student performance helped to fast track this renewal, which will be fully executed by June 30, when the current contract is set to expire. The five-year renewal, which is authorized by Osprey Wilds, is the longest timeframe available by law to charter schools.
GES returned to a full, 5 day a week in-person schedule on Tuesday, January 19, with around 20 percent of the student population choosing to participate in their learning by remote instruction. Any potential future updates and/or changes can be found on the school website and Facebook page as well as all upcoming events and news.
Great Expectations School continues to be a special place and a high-quality education option in Cook County.
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