Reviewed and Approved by the California Department of Education (CDE), the Advisory Commission on Charter Schools (ACCS), and the California State Board of Education (SBE) for meeting or exceeding state mandated fiscal accountability requirements.

Academic Achievement

Attained Academic Performance Index (API) Growth Target in 2008-2009
Increased API school-wide growth score in 2008-2009 by 23 points to 754
Achieved all Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements under No Child Left Behind (NCLB) for 2008-2009
Attained Academic Performance Index (API) Growth Target and Comparable Improvement (CI) goals in 2006-2007
Increased API school-wide growth score in 2006-2007 by 48 points
Achieved all Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act for 2006-2007
Achieved all Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act for 2004-2005

Contact Information
Merced Scholars Charter School
Lori Gomes, Principal
808 W. 16 th Street
Merced, CA 95340
Phone: 209-381-5165
Website: http://charter.mercedlearn.org/

School Mission
Merced Scholars Charter School (MSCS) will provide a personalized, versatile education program; thereby preparing students to become successful, responsible and contributing citizens who read, write, communicate and calculate with clarity and accuracy, using current technologies and resources.

MSCS Educational Philosophy

We believe that…

MSCS must strive to meet or exceed the academic standards set forth by the State of California.
Every child is capable of excelling in a personalized learning environment.
Instruction should be adapted to meet the needs of the individual student.
Parental involvement is a necessary component to the success of a child’s overall educational growth and well-being.
Dedicated staff, parents, and students should work as a cohesive unit to foster a love of learning and a commitment to responsible citizenship.
Parents and educators must value partnerships with business and the community at large.
Students who take ownership of their education will be life-long learners.
Education must include academic, personal and social development.
Students must be provided with the tools to understand lifelong decision-making.
Schools must practice sound management of business operations.

Educational Program

What We Offer.......

Grades 6 - 12 home schooling support in a publicly funded program.
Curriculum aligned with the California Content Standards and Frameworks.
Flexible scheduling and selection of courses for both the student and parent.
Weekly contact with a certified teacher.
Enrichment Programs.
Opportunities to network with other home school families with similar interest and goals.
Opportunities to accelerate at the individual student's pace.
Cumulative records, including transcripts.
State-mandated standardized testing.
The option of coursework that meets the A-G requirements for the University of California system.
Opportunity for college ready students to take Merced College classes.

Curriculum
The curriculum we follow is aligned with the California Content Standards and Frameworks. We operate as a public school supported by the Merced County Office of Education. We offer instruction via individual and group work in laboratory, classroom, virtual, and community settings, as well as in the home.

Academic Enrichment Activities and Programs Include:

Quarterly testing of core academic competencies through an in-house
Standardized Testing and Reporting program (STAR)
Spanish instructional tutorial
Math tutorial
California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE)
Project-based instruction in English language arts, social science, and science
A strong partnership with our local community college, encouraging and facilitating the process for student to enroll in advanced coursework
Graduation ceremonies

Career Education and Postsecondary Enrichment Activities and Programs Include:

Field trips to our local community college, CSU, and UC institutions
Development of career exploration activities with Merced College
Personalized academic and career counseling in partnership with Merced College guidance staff
Implementation of a Career Employability Portfolio

Instructional Enrichment Activities and Programs Include:

Field trips to community laboratories, such as museums and community college classrooms
Individual lessons personalized to student interests and talents with local visual and performing arts instructors in the area of voice and instrumental performance
Physical education contracts with licensed Karate instructors and local fitness labs
Celebration of learning event where students showcase their academic and personal talents and accomplishments in front of an audience of over 150 attendees

Personal and Social Enrichment Programs Include:

Social activities held at the school
Development of a Student Organization with a four-tenet purpose of Community Service, Leadership Development, Social Applications, and Academic/Career Development Exploration
A computer lab, with a computer literacy requirement being met with an on-campus course
A lab component requirement for Life Science, which will be met with on-campus science labs
A personalized career education plan for each student
The development of a school-wide comprehensive career education and guidance plan, inclusive of sequenced competencies and activities across grades 6-12
The offering of on-campus electives, such as journalism, desktop publishing, and leadership development