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Frequently Asked Questions
What
are Charter Schools?
Who
attends Charter Schools?
What is our
Approach?
Special
Features?
Computers in every classroom.
WHAT ARE CHARTER SCHOOLS?
 Charter
schools are offered as an alternative academic option to
traditional public schools, providing innovative learning
opportunities and experiences. Charter schools in Florida
are fully recognized as public schools and are held
accountable by each school district for meeting specified
student academic achievement, school performance and
financial management goals. Most charter schools focus on
some unique, identifiable area of education. All charter
schools are offered as choices to those who participate:
Parents–the opportunity to place their children in an
intimate environment where students will engage in
meaningful learning, Students–to benefit from an enriched,
innovative educational program, and Teachers–the advantage
of new, professional opportunities. The Downtown Academy of
Technology and Arts is not a school of entitlement or
assigned school boundaries, but rather a school of CHOICE.
WHO ATTENDS CHARTER SCHOOLS?
 Any student living in the
school district is eligible to attend. Parents must submit
an application. If the number of applications received is
less than the approved enrollment cap, all applicants are
accepted into the school. If the number of applicants
exceeds the enrollment cap, a lottery is held. Charter
schools are permitted to give enrollment preferences to
siblings of currently enrolled students. Charter schools
may not discriminate based on race, religion, or disability.
OUR UNIQUE
APPROACH
D.A.T.A.’s curriculum follows the Sunshine
State Standards and prepares students for
FCAT and SAT testing. Using specific
benchmarks that describe the knowledge and
skills students must have upon completing a
particular grade level, instruction toward
these goals is guided by teachers using
structured lesson plans, integrated computer
software, field trips, and cooperative
learning techniques. Because the school is
based upon a balance of traditional
instruction and a multimedia-enhanced
curriculum, students are provided with an
enriching and engaging education.
The Sunshine
State Standards and Benchmarks describe the
knowledge and skills the students must have
upon completing a particular grade level.
Instruction toward these benchmarks will not
be driven by "seat time". Instead,
instruction is guided by what students are
expected to know or be able to do as set
forth in their Learning Contract. Teachers
plan instructional time around the learning
goals of each student, rather than requiring
that time is spent on skills that have
already been acquired.
SPECIAL
FEATURES
The School’s
goal is to meet all criteria of a School Of
Promise. America's Promise assures that
each student receives the following:
A caring
adult or mentor, Safe Places, structured
activities after school, Healthy Bodies and
Healthy Minds, Marketable skills, and
Service Learning opportunities.
During the
School's opening year, students, staff, and
parents will develop governance
recommendations for approval by the Board of
Directors. Students will wear uniforms and
are required to sign a "Learning Contract"
as part of the application process.
The Downtown
Academy of Technology and Arts school will
assist every student in reaching high levels
of achievement and competence through
technology and in the other subjects and
skills essential to their success in school,
life, and work.
There will be
after-school activities for all students
COMPUTERS IN
EVERY ROOM
 There
are no more than 22 students to a class, and
each classroom is fully equipped with
networked computers used to complete
assignments, tests and projects as assigned
electronically by each instructor. Our
network is fully supported and monitored by
an IT professional who administers the
electronic curriculum internal and external
e-mail program and our school’s website. Our
unique curriculum uses a variety of teaching
methods, incorporating exciting media and
dynamic learning activities that encourages
superior academic excellence in a safe and
nurturing environment.
Because the
school is based upon a technological
curriculum, there will be computers in every
room for student to use daily. We will have
small classes, no more than 24 students to a
room. Our technological curriculum will
help provide superior academic excellence in
a safe, nurturing environment.
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