Big Sur Charter

BSCS has the POTENTIAL for greatness, but, sadly, falls short. We had high hopes when we left a traditional school env t & joined BSCS. We thought the "hybrid homeschooling" structure they advertise was a perfect way to begin our new journey..."the best of both worlds." Unfortunately, the learning opportunities offered through community partners (which were a huge draw for us) come & go with little to no notice & are often scheduled at times & on days more convenient to the school staff than our families. Also, after many meetings & surveys over multiple school years asking us which community partners & programs would best benefit our students, that input has been ignored. The teachers are very nice, but seriously lack the lesson planning & classroom mgmt skills to make the small amount of class time they have with our students at the Learning Center worth attending -- my kids learn little, get bored & are discouraged by the chaotic env t. Parents have learned through experience to not ask questions or express concerns, though, in fear of scorn or retaliation from the Director. In conclusion, they talk a good game, but currently do not fulfill their mission & turnover is high.

The facts are not pretty and you’ll only get the truth after spending some time there. They will most likely remove this review shortly so read while the ink is still wet. Last chance. Check out these links.

2013 API rank is 4/10:
http://school-ratings.com/school_details/27751500118349.html

teacher qualification and licenses 2011-2014 -no info. what?!! who are these people!!!??:
http://www.ed-data.k12.ca.us/App_Resx/EdDataClassic/fsTwoPanel.aspx?#!bottom=/_layouts/EdDataClassic/profile.asp?Tab=2&level=07&reportnumber=16&county=27&district=75150&school=0118349

BSCS vs state expenditures:
% instructional expenditures for students: BSCS 0.2% ------State average 4.2%
% school/general admin: BSCS 18.7% ------State 6.2% of budget.
% staff BSCS 0.7%---------State 4.7%
% transportation BSCS 3.1% -------State 2.1% (what? BSCS doesn’t shuttle or bus a single child. HUH?!!!!!)
http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ca/big-sur/schools/060003112240/

Folks the tax dollars are not going to your child or quality instructors aka “community partners.” Where is it going?

The idea of Big Sur Charter School is fantastic! Unfortunately, the administration lacks the leadership and organizational skills to fulfill the school's mission. The ineffective director is the governed by a weak board with little oversight by the Big Sur School District. Parents with questions or concerns are quickly blacklisted by the leadership and most leave within a semester or two. My experience with the school has been one whereby each semester is different than the semester before. Flexibility on the part of the parent educators is demanded and changes are made to curriculum and schedules oftentimes with little or no notice. As home educators, this arrangement is demeaning and fosters negative learning environment at the campus for our children when they are in attendance at the school. Turnover among students, teachers and community learning partners is high. This school is an adequate parking space for families searching for a school program on the Monterey Peninsula but not a long term answer for most. Until there is meaningful change in leadership these problems will continue to persist. Students will continue to rotate in and out and be replaced by new families looking for alternatives to the low performing schools in Monterey only to repeat the cycle two or three semesters on.