Spectrum Academy Charter School
Group Project
Robin Engel
Zen Benefiel
University of Phoenix
MGT 573
January 2, 2003
Spectrum Academy Charter School
Our long-term objective: To establish ongoing education programs that address the changing personal and developmental needs of our youths with a specific orientation towards establishing effective solutions to prepare the way for successful community awareness and participation. These programs will be delivered through the development and opening of a charter school in August of 2004. The objective of this project is to define and assess the requirements for the development of a charter school. The result of the project will be the opening of the school.
This school will implement the developing pedagogy, the art and science of teaching, to determine true educational validity in today's environment, while meeting all required Arizona State Standards. Educational programs, based on internal/external learning processes, will facilitate youth to maintain a balance of scientific, social, and environmental harmony. This key area is where self-awareness and critical thinking must be applied, integrating the inner and outer experiences of the participants, which helps each student achieve success. Critical thinking and socialization skills development are real-world tie-ins to our curriculum. Inclusion of ‘alternative’ curriculum facilitates diverse learner and special needs students’ success.
Diverse learning ability and cognitive skills are a primary focus of this type of environment and will be incorporated in the design and infrastructure of the facility. Many pieces of these educational processes have been developed individually in alternative, charter, or private schools to date. We shall bring these necessary tools together to facilitate a resurgence of true scientific inquiry, engaging mind, body and spirit in the process of education. It is obvious that our previous educational environments have been successful, yet with the discoveries regarding learning and interaction with the world around us, the current systems are far behind in the delivery and implementation of the most recent discoveries. This area is addressed with the care and concern of progressive parenting and leading edge learning environments.
The parent organization, Be The Dream, will function as the non-profit organization responsible for developing the charter and facilitating the organizational development. The goal of the organization is to develop educational delivery systems that meet the current and future needs of students, primarily in the K-12 arena. The creation of a charter school that demonstrates the application of this goal fits the overall goal of the organization. This project includes mandatory and alternative curricula that meet the needs of the individual student, support groups for processing through educational barriers, and the support staff necessary to administer and facilitate the educational environment. The integration of arts, science, and technology provides a balanced approach to meeting the educational goals of the school.
The completion of this project is necessary to fulfill the requirements of the business development for this charter school. Charter schools currently are business units serving the parents and students. State funding is determined by the enrollment of these students in the school. Additional funds are necessary to compliment the enrollment-based funding because charter schools do not receive the same per student as traditional public schools. The foundation of the school’s development is the most critical factor. This project will cover assessment, definition, and evaluation of the approach, risk and rewards of opening a charter school.
The Work Breakdown Schedule would be as follows:
Phase 1 – Strategic Plan
Self-Assessment
Define business vision – Who we are, what we do, who we serve
Identify available skills, information and support
Develop administrative team – define areas of expertise
Defining the Opportunity
Research the market and competition – existing charter schools
Interview owners of similar schools – potential collaborators
Identify needed resources – facilities, resources, staff, students
Identify operation cost elements – high level budget
Evaluate Business Approach
Define new entity requirements – legal and financial
Identify on-going business purchase potential – existing charter
Research franchise possibilities – potential collaborators
Summarize business approach
Evaluate Potential Risks and Rewards
Assess market size and stability – student base/location
Estimate the competition – research and review
Assess needed resources available – curricula, funding, materials
Evaluate realistic initial market – initial enrollment target
Determine financial requirements – facility, materials, and staff
Review personal suitability – skill set and mind set fit
Evaluate initial profitability – student to staff ratio
Review and modify the strategic plan
Confirm decision to proceed
Phase 2 – Defining the Business Opportunity
Define the market
Access available information – associations, databases, etc.
Create market analysis plan – who, what, when, where, how
Implement market analysis plan – focus groups
Identify competition – best practices and market advantage
Summarize the market – what is missing?
Identify target market niche
Identify Needed Materials and Supplies
Select business approach (from above)
Identify management staff resources
Identify staffing requirements – WBS and timeline
Identify needed materials – hardware, software, supplies
Identify needed utilities – facilities management
Summarize operating expenses
Evaluate Potential Risks and Rewards
Assess market size and stability – analysis of charter environment
Assess needed resources availability –foundation, private, state
Forecast financial returns – conservative and potential
Review and modify the business opportunity
Confirm decision to proceed
Phase 3 – Action Plan
Develop Detailed 5-Year Plan
Describe the vision and opportunity
List assumptions
Describe the market
Describe the new business
Describe the strengths weaknesses, assets, and threats
Estimate the enrollment
Estimate the additional funding
Forecast operating costs
Establish marketing strategy
Forecast revenue
Summarize pro-forma financial statement
Develop break-even analysis
Develop cash-flow projection
Identify licensing and permitting requirements
Develop start up plan
Develop sales and marketing strategy
Describe risks and opportunities
Publish the business plan
Confirm decision to proceed
Phase 4 – Proceed With Start Up Plan
Choose a location – lease or build
Establish Business Structure
Choose a name
Identify implications
Research name availability
Choose a Bank
Establish accounts
Establish line of credit
Choose legal representation
Select business tax-base category
Choose capital funding sources
Commit capital funding
Establish the Operating Control Base
Choose and set up the accounting system
Obtain required licenses and permits
Obtain needed insurance
Establish security plan
Develop Marketing Program
Establish an advertising program
Develop a logo
Order promotional materials
Provide Physical Facilities
Secure operation space
Select computer network hardware
Select computer software
Establish utilities
Provide furniture and equipment
Move in
Provide Staffing
Interview and test candidates
Hire staff
Train staff
Start up the business
Initial budget concerns include Operations Management, Facility Management, Curriculum Management, and Student Management. Rough estimates are between $600,000 and $1,400,000. This budget will be further defined and refined as work is completed on the project plan and research into its components reveal cost estimates. Enrollment estimates will determine variations within the budget projections.
In conclusion, the continued work on this plan will encompass the materials presented in the course while developing and implementing process and project planning scope and sequence. We will utilize MS Project and MindManager as resource tools to develop this project and facilitate the implementation of the best practices necessary to achieve success.