| No Application Fees or Tuition |
TPAAK |
Other Poudre Schools |
| Free Public School No Tuition |
No Tuition |
No Tuition |
| 30% More Instructional Time |
TPAAK |
Other Poudre Schools |
| Number of Student Instructional Days |
190+ days/year |
176 |
| Hours in Each School Day |
7.5 hours |
6.5 hours |
| Total Hours in Each School Year |
1500 |
1079 |
| A Safe, Nurturing Environment |
TPAAK |
Other Poudre Schools |
| School Uniforms |
Yes |
No |
| Background checks of all staff members and volunteers |
Yes |
Yes |
Building-Specific Code of Student Conduct Signed by
Parents, Students. |
Yes |
Varies |
| Fire and Lockdown Practices and Procedures in Place |
Yes |
Yes |
| Rigorous World Class College Prep Educational Program |
TPAAK |
Other Poudre Schools |
90 Minutes of phonics-based Language Arts, Reading & Writing
Per Day |
Yes |
varies |
| Spanish taught to all students in all grades |
Yes |
No |
| A+ Self Paced Literacy and Math Program Add-on. |
Yes |
No |
| 1 computer for every 3 students in every classroom |
Yes |
No |
| Computer usage by all students daily grades 2-7 |
Yes |
No |
| Special Education Services |
Yes |
Yes |
| Paragon multi-cultural curriculum |
Yes |
No |
| PE and Recess For All Grades K-8 |
Yes |
Yes |
| Arts Enrichment |
TPAAK |
Other Poudre Schools |
| Separate Drama, Art and Music Classes for all students |
Yes |
No |
| Art, Drama, Music also part of 90 minute social studies program |
Yes |
No |
| Art, Music Drama Programs Also Offered After School |
|
|
| Parental Involvement |
TPAAK |
Other Poudre Schools |
| School Open House for Paragon Night every 5 weeks |
Yes |
No |
| Local Parent selection of governing board |
Yes |
Not Guaranteed |
| Parent volunteering welcomed, measured and expected |
Yes |
Varies |
| Research-based Instructional Approaches |
TPAAK |
Other Poudre Schools |
Specific Instructional Techniques used to engage and teach all
students. (Not limited to the "Sit and Get" approach used in many
classrooms) |
Yes |
Varies |
Instructional Grouping All Grade Levels (Placing children in
achievement groups to make certain they are appropriately
challenged for maximum learning opportunities) |
Yes |
No |
Technology Integrated into Educational Program with 8 Computers
per Classroom |
Yes |
No |
Pre- and Post- annual testing with nationally recognized Iowa Test
Basic Skills |
Yes |
No |
| A+ Self Paced Literacy and Math Program Add-on. |
Yes |
No |
Looping (Students Stay with Same Teacher 2 Years in Grades 1-2
and 3-4) |
Yes |
No |
| Personalized Student Achievement Plans |
Yes |
No |
| Pre- and Post ITBS Testing |
Yes |
No |
| CSAP Testing |
Yes |
Yes |
| A Caring, Professional Staff |
TPAAK |
Other Poudre Schools |
| Individualized Professional Development Plans for Each Teacher |
Yes |
No |
| Number of Teacher Training Days Per Year |
20 |
6 |
| Teachers meet or exceed all Federal and State teaching requirements |
Yes |
Yes |
| The Extras |
TPAAK |
Other Poudre Schools |
| Lunch Program |
Yes |
Yes |
| Before and After School Programs |
Yes |
Varies |
| Extra Curricular Opportunities |
Yes |
Yes |
