Grove Elementary is a proposed new charter school designed to serve neurodiverse and special education students.
The Boulder Valley Board of Education is reviewing the proposal, which aims to bring inclusivity and support to a population often overlooked.
Grove would extend the educational philosophy of Bal Swan, a private preschool in Broomfield, into a publicly funded school for elementary students.
If approved, Grove Elementary would be BVSD’s first new charter school in over 20 years. Currently, BVSD has five charter schools, most approved in the late 1990s.
The board’s last charter review, for Ascent Classical Academy in 2019, ended in denial due to concerns about nondiscrimination policies.
Board members discussed Grove’s proposal extensively at a January meeting.
While they praised its inclusive message, they expressed concerns about its reliance on paraprofessionals instead of licensed teachers and the challenges of managing a high percentage of special needs students.
Grove plans for 30% of its student body to include those with diagnosed and undiagnosed support needs.
Special education funding is already strained in BVSD, with a 12% shortfall requiring the general fund to cover the gap.
Over the past five years, special education enrollment has grown by 7.4%, affecting nearly 3,900 students. Many parents feel that a school like Grove is urgently needed.
Stephanie Cerrone, a mother of an autistic child, shared her struggles finding a suitable school for her son.
After facing rejection from local schools, she enrolled her son at Bal Swan and became part of a group advocating for equitable education. Cerrone supports Grove, hoping it will provide the same inclusive environment her son thrives.
Bal Swan’s current model includes a private therapy clinic with speech pathologists, but Grove plans to adopt an “insurance model,” paying BVSD for access to special resources.
Teachers will receive extensive training to integrate specialized support into the classroom.
Board members also questioned Grove’s budget, which lacks funding for market-rate teacher salaries and benefits. Despite this, Grove has attracted interest from educators drawn to its mission and culture.
On average, BVSD teachers earn $89,000 annually, significantly higher than charter school teachers statewide.
Another concern is declining enrollment in BVSD. Some board members questioned adding a new school when existing elementary schools face low enrollment.
However, Grove’s team believes their model will appeal to homeschooling families, helping to address this issue.
The board will hold a final work session on January 21 to decide on Grove’s application. Public comments will be heard, but only from BVSD residents. If approved, Grove could set a new precedent for inclusive education in the district.
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