FAQ
Does Natomas need an elementary school?
Due to growth in the area, the Natomas Unified School District is currently building one elementary school and considering sites for others. There is a need for more schools to meet future growth.
Why would the community want a charter school instead of a regular public school?
A charter school is a public school established to pursue a specific curriculum. This offers parents in the community a different option for their children’s education. Some charter schools focus on the arts, math or science. The Westlake Charter School would offer a well-rounded curriculum with a focus on international culture and language.
How would NUSD benefit from approving another charter school?
NUSD has been extremely proactive in using charter schools to provide opportunities for its growing district. The Natomas Charter School was actually developed after an invitation by the Board, which was seeking innovative ways to educate students.
Why is the International Primary Curriculum a good choice?
The parents and educators who created the Westlake charter were looking for a way to embrace the diverse cultures of the region. IPC addresses that need and offers a competitive academic component that allows children to develop a global view of the world. IPC is derived from a well regarded secondary program called the International Baccalaureate.
Aside from IPC, how is Westlake Charter School different?
If our school receives more applications than enrollment capacity, enrollment will be determined by a public random drawing. Our charter binds us to give a preference in the public random drawing for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch AND whose parents/guardians have not graduated from a four year university, which we believe will assist us in attracting a greater diversity of students socio-economically. This preference will be given in the public random drawing for a number of students equal to 20% of the school's capacity. Like all charter schools, Westlake Charter would also benefit from significant parent involvement and community mentors and sponsors.
