CAPCS Strategy

As a public charter school, CAPCS has the freedom to design its curriculum, manage its budget, hire its staff and set its own rules and expectations. At the same time, CAPCS must also meet the same academic standards as other public schools, is monitored by the DC Public Charter School Board, and must accept all children for whom they have available space and required resources. Our academic leadership team constantly reassesses our curriculum offerings, keeps abreast of developments in education, integrates best practices, and designs professional development opportunities that best meet the needs of our faculty and our programs.

How do we know a child is succeeding in school? Our comprehensive testing and assessment program yields data that informs our decisions, our instruction, and our strategies. We track each child’s progress throughout the school year. Standardized test results, classroom-based tests, in-class performance, and project-based activities form a picture that reveals a child’s strengths and weaknesses. Armed with this knowledge, teachers adjust their instruction to meet the needs of the class and provide additional support to individual students where indicated. We create opportunities for academic success that build confidence and a desire to tackle more difficult challenges. This data-driven approach is also applied to our overall action plans in both the academic and operational areas of the school. Evidence-based initiatives promote continuous improvement.