Baden (Pa.) Academy Charter School Proposed at Site of Former Mount Gallitzin Academy

Baden (Pa.) Academy Charter School Proposed at Site of Former Mount Gallitzin
Academy

AMBRIDGE, Pa., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an effort to expand
parental choice and offer enhanced educational opportunities for public school
students in Beaver County, Pa., and the surrounding region, a group of
parents, educators, and community members are planning to launch a new charter
school beginning in the 2010-2011 school year.

With tentative plans to open next year for grades K-3, Baden Academy Charter
School will offer a comprehensive, arts-infused elementary and middle school
program (K-8) based on a classical education model. The school's Kindergarten
will include a program for four-year-olds.

"Through a rigorous and challenging curriculum, a classical education model
seeks to develop the whole child by equipping students with critical thinking
skills, a passion for life-long learning, and a virtuous character," says
Stephen Catanzarite, spokesman for the group.

Pending a lease agreement, the new charter school will be located in Baden at
the Mount Gallitzin Academy site on the Motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of
St. Joseph. Mount Gallitzin Academy was closed following the 2008-09 school
year due to declining enrollment, changing demographics, and economic and
financial considerations.

The new charter school would operate as an independent educational entity,
separate and apart from the Sisters of St. Joseph. The Sisters of St. Joseph
will not be involved with the proposed charter school; they will only be
leasing the academy property to the new school.

The development of the application for Baden Academy Charter School was funded
by the National Network of Digital Schools (NNDS). NNDS is a nonprofit
management foundation that supports a variety of programs, services, and
initiatives aimed at improving K-12 education, including the Lincoln
Interactive online curriculum.

Following the procedure set forth by Pennsylvania's charter school law, the
first step toward creation of the school will be submission of a comprehensive
application to the Board of Education of the Ambridge Area School District
this week. Ambridge will then have up to 45 days to hold a public hearing on
the application. The district will then have up to 75 days approve or deny the
application. If the application is denied, an appeal can be made to the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Charter School Appeal Board, which could then
approve the application.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School

Fred Miller of Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, +1-724-643-1180 x1377