Madera County Grand Jury
• 2011-2012
2011-2012 Madera County Grand Jury Final Report on Minarets Charter School
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 26 findings
F1
The Grand Jury found the campus to be well-maintained, clean, and free of all graffiti.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The Grand Jury found that approximately 4 acres are designated for a farm and barn for FFA students.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
The Grand Jury found that the farm currently houses pigs, chickens, and rabbits, and the greenhouse has been completed.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
The Grand Jury found that construction is expected to start soon on a $4 million agriculture facility.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
The Grand Jury found that the student eating area is open-air, without walls or roof.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
The Grand Jury found that the two schools share a combined staff of twenty-one certificated and eight classified staff members.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
The Grand Jury found that all MCS teachers are appropriately credentialed by the State of California.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The Grand Jury found that a counselor meets with each MCS student four times a year.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
The Grand Jury found that MCS teachers are readily available to parents and students by cell phone and email. They also are available before and after school to provide students with extra help.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The Grand Jury found that MCS strives to prepare students for the workforce and that the rules emulate the standards found in most employers’ policy handbook.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
The Grand Jury found that MCS focuses on career options in media, arts, science, agriculture, military science, and fire science.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
The Grand Jury found that student assignments are project-based using modern technology.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
The Grand Jury found that MCS students are able to take online college classes.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
The Grand Jury found that all MCS students are provided with an Apple laptop computer, to be used for school work.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
The Grand Jury found that hours of use of the laptops are limited to 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays and five hours per day on weekends.
No recommendations for this finding
F16
The Grand Jury found that school hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a 45-minute lunch break.
No recommendations for this finding
F17
The Grand Jury found that students take eight classes on an odd/even schedule with four 85-minute classes each day.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
The Grand Jury found that students from throughout the valley attend MCS.
No recommendations for this finding
F19
The Grand Jury found that transportation is not provided for students outside the district attendance boundaries.
No recommendations for this finding
F20
The Grand Jury found that the MCS student attendance rate is 96%, much higher than that of traditional high schools.
No recommendations for this finding
F21
The Grand Jury found that parent involvement is required at MCS.
No recommendations for this finding
F22
The Grand Jury found that MCS receives annually from the State approximately $1,000 less per student than traditional schools receive.
No recommendations for this finding
F23
The Grand Jury found that MCS receives monetary and other forms of support from businesses, organizations, and residents within the district.
No recommendations for this finding
F24
The Grand Jury found that MCS is scheduled for review by Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) to begin the accreditation process.
No recommendations for this finding
F25
The Grand Jury found that graduation from a WASC-accredited school is required or preferred for matriculation to higher level institutions.
No recommendations for this finding
F26
The Grand Jury found that MCS students are courteous, enthusiastic, and show pride in their school. Conclusions:
No recommendations for this finding
Conclusions 6
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CL1The Grand Jury concluded that MCS has appropriate rules and regulations for student use of the laptops provided.
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CL2The Grand Jury concluded that students may be exposed to adverse weather conditions when using the unprotected eating area.
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CL3The Grand Jury concluded that MCS administration has developed a good working relationship with the community.
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CL4The Grand Jury concluded that MCS achievement of WASC accreditation will benefit graduating Seniors who are college-bound.
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CL5The Grand Jury concluded that administration and staff have created a learning environment which meets the needs of MCS students.
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CL6The Grand Jury concluded that the operational integration of MCS with Minarets High School is a good fit.