{"id":4816,"date":"2013-07-15T21:15:40","date_gmt":"2013-07-15T21:15:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www5.milwaukee.k12.wi.us\/school\/ideal\/?page_id=5"},"modified":"2023-02-13T20:23:16","modified_gmt":"2023-02-13T20:23:16","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/k12.mps.school\/ideal\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About I.D.E.A.L."},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In August 2001, IDEAL Charter School opened its door to Milwaukee\u2019s south side community. IDEAL was created by a group of dedicated parents, teachers and community members who strongly believed in Individualized, Developmental, Educational Approaches to Learning.<\/p>\n<p>IDEAL was created through a contract with MPS, in which this charter sets the framework and provides the school with greater independence over its operations.<\/p>\n<p>In exchange for charter flexibility, the school is held accountable for achieving charter school goals, including improvement of student performance. Its unique governance structure provides teachers and parents with a true voice in the decision making process.<\/p>\n<p>IDEAL is rooted in the wisdom and success of I.G.E. (Individually Guided Education), combining current research and successful practice to create a technology-rich curriculum that will prepare our students for the future. The learning environment is child-centered, promoting active learning and exploration. Thinking strategies and processes are emphasized as children learn how to ask questions and research solutions.<\/p>\n<p>Participation in programs such as the international Future Problem Solving Program, UW-Milwaukee Art and the Milwaukee Art Museum Junior Docent Program enhances the educational program and provides opportunities for community involvement. The State and District Standards are addressed and assessed through a thematic, integrated approach to curriculum. IDEAL students are taught how to learn, not just what to learn.<\/p>\n<p>IDEAL\u2019s educational program is built upon five constructs:<\/p>\n<h2>1. Multi-Aged, Inclusive Classrooms<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Organized in units.<\/li>\n<li>Builds on each child&#8217;s natural patterns of growth.<\/li>\n<li>Focuses on developing strengths.<\/li>\n<li>Uses flexible grouping and cooperative learning.<\/li>\n<li>Values the contributions of each child.<\/li>\n<li>Meets the needs of the academically talented as well as those with exceptional education needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2. Shared Governance Model<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Governed by parents, students, teachers and community members.<\/li>\n<li>Managed by teachers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>3. Students Actively Engaged in Meaningful Learning<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Integrated curriculum based on a balanced literacy and inquiry\/problem-solving model.<\/li>\n<li>Active, developmentally appropriate approach to the curriculum.<\/li>\n<li>Individual learning styles diagnosed and addressed.<\/li>\n<li>Differences valued.<\/li>\n<li>Technology used to enhance learning.<\/li>\n<li>Music and Art infused throughout curriculum.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>4. Assessment by Performance, Product and Demonstration<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Assessment linked to clearly stated learning goals and standards.<\/li>\n<li>Assessment should focus on children&#8217;s progress and development with respect to goals and standards, rather than on comparisons to one another.<\/li>\n<li>Should promote thoughtful learning and development.<\/li>\n<li>Seamless link between assessment and instruction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>5. Community Involvement<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>View school as a community of learners.<\/li>\n<li>Develop responsible citizenship.<\/li>\n<li>Take advantage of the rich resources in our community.<\/li>\n<li>Form partnerships with businesses and the community that will benefit our students and families.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In August 2001, IDEAL Charter School opened its door to Milwaukee\u2019s south side community. IDEAL was created by a group of dedicated parents, teachers and community members who strongly believed in Individualized, Developmental, Educational Approaches to Learning. IDEAL was created through a contract with MPS, in which this charter sets the framework and provides the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_mc_calendar":[],"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-4816","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","5":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/k12.mps.school\/ideal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4816","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/k12.mps.school\/ideal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/k12.mps.school\/ideal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/k12.mps.school\/ideal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/k12.mps.school\/ideal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4816"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/k12.mps.school\/ideal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4816\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/k12.mps.school\/ideal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4816"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}