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Foster City’s wish may be granted
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FOSTER CITY (Map, News) - Foster City’s long-held dream of having its very own high school may be once again rekindled.
A Los Angeles-based charter school foundation has recently submitted an application to the San Mateo Union High School District to open a high school in the city. The application comes as another effort to open a high school in the bayside town appears to be extinguished. The move is the third charter school effort in as many years to arise in Foster City.
School district Superintendent David Miller confirmed that he received an application from Dialogue Foundation to open a Magnolia Science Academy. But he and other district officials said they are skeptical of any effort to bring a charter school into the region, saying the application would have to be stellar to even be considered since the district’s high schools are performing well academically.
Currently, Foster City high school students are bused to either San Mateo High School or Hillsdale High School. Foster City leaders have dreamed of a high school since the city was founded in the 1960s, when 15 acres were set aside for a high school. Since then, 11 of those 15 acres have been slated for a residential and commercial development, but the remaining four are still zoned for education.
A charter school is a publicly funded school that is usually operated by a private foundation or business but often funded largely by the state. Many offer educational programs that differ from what is offered elsewhere in the district.
The most recent charter school effort was led by the Foster City High School Foundation and the Bay Area charter school company Envision Schools.
The two groups struck out when they approached the City Council for support. The council not only refused to support the project, but also imposed deadline of next month for the foundation to find funding elsewhere, or the land could be used for something else.
Foundation leader Phyllis Moore said it’s been “very difficult” to come up with the several million dollars needed for the school and doesn’t anticipate that her group will meet the deadline.
Miller said Dialogue’s application did not specify whether the school would be located on the four acres zoned for education. He said the application will likely have to be exceptionally attractive to be considered and that the school would have to offer students a curriculum they cannot currently find in the district.
Dialogue Foundation officials did not return calls or e-mails for comment.
The new contender
San Mateo Union High School District recently received an application from the Dialogue Foundation to open a new charter school in Foster City. Some facts about the applicant:
» The Los Angeles-based nonprofit was established in 1997.
» Dialogue operates two grade schools — named the Magnolia Science academies — in the San Fernando Valley, as well as the Momentum Middle School in San Diego.
» Tuition is offered free.
» Dialogue’s schools emphasize science, math and technology.
» The nonprofit’s schools boast state-of-the-art science and computer laboratories, computer-programming classes, free special tutoring, and science, math and technology fairs and clubs.
» Magnolia Science Academy received a score of 767 on the Academic Performance Index released last week.
» Momentum Middle School received an API score of 810.
Source: www.dialoguefoundation.org
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Examiner Reader said:
We absolutely support a public high school in Foster City! We hope that our dream can eventually come true.
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Examiner Reader said:
As a new mother, I was extremely disappointed that the City Council chose to ignore the need for a Foster City High School. As many of the residents of Foster city have indicated, a high school would be a great asset to our community.
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Foster City parent of 2 said:
One of the major attractions of living in Foster City are the excellent public elementary and middle schools. Then our kids hit high school and are bussed elsewhere. A high school in Foster City is a vital asset to our whole community.
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Examiner Reader said:
We hightly support to have a public high school in Foster City!! Children go to elementary and middle school and make friends in this discrict. It will be great if they can go to the same high school. We have good elementary and middle schools. It is such a pity if we will decide not to support a high school, but the money making business!
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Examiner Reader and parent said:
I will agree with previous comments regarding the social implications of the children going to a brand new school with new peers. Although some may have friends that attend the same high school, their circle of friends and support will be divided as they enter an important time of their life. High school brings so many challenges physically, mentally, socially and it's so important that the students are not stripped of their support system; friends being an integral part. With the 4 acres left in F.C., it should be left to the residents to determine what is built on it. City council members should really take heed of what the PEOPLE and taxpayers of the city desires, not any political or money making issues. Thanks!
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Foster City resident, tax payer and parent said:
Children growing up in Foster City go to elementary and middle schools located in Foster City and friends made in these foundation years are life long. High School is an exceptionally difficult time, when our children are developing a sense of self, wanting to fit in with peers, are opinionated and yet looking for approval, and trying to identify a career path. If we all reflect and reminisce our high school days, we'll recall that high schools are also perhaps life's biggest BULLY zones and leave a lasting impressions, sometimes even dictate who we/what we grow to be! While San Mateo High School and Hillsdale High School are excellent academic institutions with excellent teachers, they offer a bigger and different mix of students with whom our children are not familiar. At this challenging age it is best to keep our children with students they have grown up with and not present additional challenges. Perhaps our council will pause, reflect and decide. Thank you!
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Foster City parents of two kids said:
It is extremely important and helpful to the Foster City kids to have a public high school. We really wish the Foster City council is considerate enough to listen to the parents and residents, listen to the Foster City High School Foundation, give them support instead of hard time limit.
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Tania B. said:
As a parent in Foster City, I do hope that the city council will be considerate of our Children's future. I do not want my child to be bused to San Mateo, Hillsborough, or other locales for her education. We pay taxes here our schools should be here! Maybe we should have a Waldorf Charter that would be different than anything else in the county.
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Foster City parents said:
Foster City council should listen to Foster City residents and welcome this Charter High School to the 15 acre land at the heart of the city. We should do whatever we can to help to establish a high school in Foster City. As parents and residents, we ask Foster City council to respect and follow residents' wishes.
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Andy Gokce-Dialog Foundation said:
My name is Andy Gokce, I am the replication coordinator for Magnolia Science Academy. I can be reached at andy.gokce@accordeducation.org. I have to make a correction: Our foundation's web site is not www.dialoguefoundation.org, it's www.dialogfoundation.org. And the name of the foundation is Dialog Cultural, Scientific and Educational Foundation, not Dialogue Foundation. We have no relations or whatsoever with Dialogue Foundation or dialoguefoundation.org.
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