Northland Pines School District accepting charter school applications

The Northland Pines School District is accepting families’ applications to have children attend its charter schools now through Friday, Feb. 28.
The district operates three Charter Schools including the Northland Pines Montessori Learning Center, SOAR Charter Middle School, and the School of Options and Applied Research Charter High School.
Charter schools are public schools that are tuition-free and give parents and families a choice for education. Northland Pines offers three so that students in grades 4K through 12th grade have additional educational opportunities.
During the month of January and through Friday, Feb. 28, the Northland Pines School District allows families to apply to have their children attend the Charter Schools. Current Northland Pines area students, open-enrolled individuals, and home-schooled students are eligible to attend. If more students apply than the spots available, a lottery system is used to determine which students can attend.
There will be parent meetings and/or school tours held at each school. See the information under each school below:

Montessori Learning Center (Grades 4K-4) - St. Germain

The Northland Pines Montessori Learning Center is developed around the Montessori educational philosophy that was originated by Dr. Maria Montessori. It is a child-centered educational approach based on scientific observations of children from birth to adulthood.
The Northland Pines Montessori Learning Center shares a building with St. Germain Elementary School which allows them to share the library, kitchen, playground and other resources with St. Germain Elementary School. Students at the Northland Pines Montessori Learning Center follow a similar school calendar as the Northland Pines School District.
The school times are a little different to ensure that all students in the district can be bussed to St. Germain in time.
The school day at the Northland Pines Montessori Learning Center officially begins at 8:45 a.m. and ends at 2:50 p.m.

An informational meeting will be held on Monday, Jan. 20, at 6:30 p.m. It is encouraged, but not required, that parents RSVP to tduffek@npsd.k12.wi.us. The in-person parent meeting will be held at the Montessori Learning Center, located at 8234 State Highway 70, in St. Germain.
The Montessori Learning Center will also hold two tours with question/answer sessions:
• Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 9:30 a.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 6, at 9:30 a.m.
For any questions or additional information, contact Tony Duffek, Principal, at (715) 542-3632 or email tduffek@npsd.k12.wi.us.

SOAR Charter Middle School (Grades 5-8) - Land O’ Lakes

SOAR (School of Options and Applied Research) Middle School serves as an educational option for 5th-8th grade students of the Northland Pines School District. The Project Based Learning instructional methodology at SOAR encourages students to learn and apply academic content and skill through the development of well-designed projects.
SOAR Middle School is located in a wing at Land O’ Lakes Elementary School. Northland Pines School District area students are provided transportation. SOAR follows a similar school calendar as the Northland Pines School District. However, the students only attend in person Monday through Thursday most weeks. Fridays are designed as opportunities to learn outside of the school walls. The school day at SOAR Middle School officially begins at 8:45 a.m. and ends at 2:50 p.m.
Informational meetings will be held for parents interested in SOAR Middle School throughout January and February.
Parents are encouraged, but not required, to RSVP to canordine@npsd.k12.wi.us. The in-person parent meeting will be held at the SOAR Charter Middle School, located at 6485 Town Hall Road, in Land O’ Lakes.

SOAR Charter Middle School will hold the following informational events:
• Monday, Jan. 20 – SOAR MS Prospective Family Presentation 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Jan. 28 – SOAR MS Project Showcase Night 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 4 – SOAR MS School Tour 9:30 a.m.
• Monday, Feb. 10 – SOAR MS Prospective Family Presentation 6 p.m.
For any questions or more information, contact Carie Nordine, Principal, at (715) 547-3619 or email canordine@npsd.k12.wi.us.

School of Options and Applied Research Charter High School (Grades 9-12) - Eagle River

The School of Options and Applied Research Charter High School has transformed education in the Northland Pines School District. Each student works closely with advisors to intertwine disciplinary learning to create unique, options-based learning experiences that both excite and challenge students in their learning.
Options-based learning focuses on all the ways students can learn. Students enrolled in this school become aware of their learning styles and follow a path that best suits their individual needs. This includes:
• Up to two credits per year at Northland Pines High School

• Build projects that become a learning experience
• Seminars with experienced staff present
• Multi-age learning environment
• Student-directed community environment
• Outdoor resources available minutes from the campus
• Test out of content they already know to focus on what they need to learn
• Challenge themselves with expeditions that bring them into learning through location, travel and authentic experiences
• Use flexible learning spaces to construct learning experiences that engage them in multiple ways
• Create a flexible schedule that embraces the needs of some students to work and learn outside the walls of the school
• Recognize learning that happens when school is not in session and allow students to document and receive recognition for their learning, no matter where it happens.
Current Northland Pines area students, open-enrolled individuals, and home-schooled students are eligible to attend the School of Options and Applied Research Charter High School. Students follow a similar school calendar as the Northland Pines School District. The school start and end times are the same in both high schools, 8:20 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. The district provides students transportation from within any area of the district. Students may also drive themselves if their parents approve.
Current Northland Pines area students, open-enrolled individuals, and home-schooled students are eligible to attend SOAR Charter High School which is located in the same building as the Eagle River Elementary School.
An informational meeting will be held on Monday, Jan. 13, at 6 p.m. It is encouraged, but not required, that parents RSVP to hleusink@npsd.k12.wi.us. The in-person parent meeting will be held at the School of Options and Applied Research Charter High School, located at 1700 Pleasure Island Road in Eagle River.
School of Options and Applied Research Charter High School will also hold two tours with question/answer sessions:
• Tuesday, January 21, at 9 a.m.
• Thursday, January 30, at 9 a.m.
For any questions and additional information contact, Harlan Leusink, Principal, at (715) 479-5701 or email hleusink@npsd.k12.wi.us.