Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
State Superintendent Jack O’Connell to Personally Deliver News of $250,000 Grant to the International School of Monterey

Monterey, California (Thursday, March 10, 2005)- State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell will visit the International School of Monterey on Friday, March 11 to congratulate the high-quality charter school for earning one of 11 $250,000 dissemination grants to share best practices with other K-12 schools. The event, which will take the form of a news conference, will start at 3:00 p.m. at the International School's new home on the Manzanita campus at 1720 Yosemite Street In Seaside.
 
The quarter million comes from the federally funded Public Charter Schools Grant Program administered through the California Department of Education. Just 11 established charter schools earned PCSGP dissemination grants in California. Eighty-four others earned startup and implementation grants through the competitive application and review process. A total of 291 applications were evaluated and scored by panels of readers composed of charter school experts from across the state and nation.
 
"Many people have worked very hard to create this successful charter school," stated Chrissie Jahn, Executive Director of the International School, upon learning of the school’s successful grant application. "We are thrilled to be able to share our successful model and educational practices so that more children can benefit from schools that balance innovation and accountability."
 
This is the second grant that the International School has received from the PCSGP. The first grant, awarded in 2002, provided funding for the implementation of the International School’s educational program. "It’s rewarding to receive dissemination funding so quickly after the implementation monies. It serves as proof of our academic excellence when educational experts ask us to share what we do as best practices," continued Jahn.
 
The International School of Monterey - a nonprofit, tuition-free, coeducational, English-language public charter school - works to educate all students toward becoming conscientious, compassionate, and responsible citizens. As the first public International School, it teaches the world-renowned and innovative International Primary Years curriculum. In an inquiry-based, inclusive, participative, and thematic learning environment, outstanding teachers maintain high expectations of students to develop their self-potential and connect with their world. Individualized instruction based on various learning styles, multiple intelligence theory, and diverse cultural backgrounds fosters the academic, intellectual, social, ethical, physical, and emotional growth of each student. The International School currently serves approximately 200 children in grades K-7. Since opening in September 2001, ISM has added at least one grade each year, and plans to add grade eight next fall. The school anticipates eventually extending through grade 12. It recently underwent major midyear changes when the entire campus was relocated from the Thomas Larkin school site in Monterey to the Manzanita campus.
 
More information on ISM is available online at www.ismonterey.org or by calling (831) 583-2165.

For more information reporters may contact:
Chrissie Jahn, Executive Director
(831) 583-2165
cjahn@ismonterey.org