Editorial note: this post was originally written by WQAD8 and has been modified to exclusively feature the parts related to Concept Schools/HSA Davenport.
Horizon Science Academy has now been approved to operate in Davenport. The Iowa Department of Education made the decision on Jan. 9.
Charter schools are fairly similar to traditional public schools. They both receive state funding based on the number of students, and they don't pick which students are admitted or charge tuition. However, charter schools have more flexibility in curriculum, teacher salaries and academic calendars.
In less than eight months, Davenport's first charter school will open in the historic Johnson School building.
Dr. Chris Murphy, chief strategic growth and communications officer at nonprofit Concept Schools, said families in Davenport are looking for a different kind of school.
"We will know families, we will know what these students are all about. Parents will be very much engaged with teachers and ensuring that learning is taking place at the highest of levels," Murphy said.
Horizon Science Academy Davenport will be the 36th STEM and college prep-focused charter run by Concept Schools. Murphy said science and technology will be included in every subject, along with robotics and engineering extra-curriculars.
The school will start with kindergarten through 6th grade, capped at 210 students. It will add one grade every year up to 12th, with a cap at 600 students.