LINDON — Dissatisfied with academics in public school and lack of sociality in home school, Eric and Michelle Smith started their own school.
Two of the couple's children are among 350 kindergarten through sixth-grade students at Timpanogos Academy. The school's inaugural year ends June 4.
"You learn more and you're a bit more challenged, I think," said the Smith's thoughtful 10-year-old son Ethan. "For one thing, the math we do is one grade ahead than we usually do."
Timpanogos Academy is one of two "charter" schools in Utah County. Two others are planning to open this fall, provided the Utah Board of Education approves their applications. There are 16 charter schools statewide with seven more, including what are called high-tech high schools, on the drawing board.
"The charter school movement is growing," Gov. Mike Leavitt told parents and students Friday at Timpanogos. Both Utah Valley schools have long waiting lists.
Charter schools are a sort of hybrid between public and private schools. They are sanctioned through a district or the state but have their own school boards. They cannot charge tuition and must be open to all students, though enrollment may be limited to the building's capacity. A lottery determines who gets in after preference is given to founders' children and siblings of current students.
And they are not just for brainiacs, though reading, writing and arithmetic are rigorous.
"What we will not do is dumb down our curriculum to the lowest ability," Michelle Smith said.
Charter schools often have special focuses. John Hancock Charter School in Pleasant Grove requires all students from third grade up to take violin, viola or cello classes.
Parents also play a large role in a child's education. John Hancock, for example, has a parent teach a class on computer programming.
"Traditional schools usually don't have the opportunity to tap into the talents of their parents," said Julie Adamic, school founder/director.
The Smiths had no idea what they were getting into when they and other parents decided to form a school.
It's not daunting, she said, "if you're clinically insane."
Obtaining money for land and constructing or finding a suitable building are the biggest obstacles.
"You can't go to the bank and say, 'I need $1.2 million,' " said Andrea Perri, who's trying to get a charter school called Freedom Academy off the ground in Provo. "I have no track record."
The Utah Legislature recently established a $2 million revolving loan fund for charter schools. "It means more schools like this one can be built," Rep. Jim Ferrin, R-Orem, said Friday at Timpanogos Academy, where his children attend.
Lawmakers also ensured charter schools will receive equal funding to regular public schools. Leavitt said charter schools were "disad- vantaged" under the old formula through which they received two-thirds the money of public schools.
Local school boards are another hurdle facing proposed charter schools. Most are reluctant to approve applications.
The Provo School Board last month wrestled with requests for two charter schools, the proposed Freedom Academy and Discovery Charter School.
"You have pros and cons in public education about (charter schools)," said Richard Sheffield, board president.
Some argue they strip money from public schools, which is hard on districts like Provo where enrollment is stagnant or slightly declining. Others say charter schools encourage competition, which makes all education better.
In the end, the Provo board, which by law had 45 days to consider the applications, decided the district liability and responsibility for charter schools was unclear.
"We don't build or make decision to build a school on a 45-day assessment," Sheffield said.
The two schools hope to gain state approval next month.
Charter school proponents say their primary motivation is to offer parents a choice in education.
"We're not saying public schools are bad," Perri said. "We're saying let's improve education in general. Let's work to make education better."
The Smiths believe Timpanogos Academy accomplishes that. Ethan Smith did find school more interesting this year and he does have many friends. But when asked his favorite part about the new school, he responded like a typical fourth-grader: recess.
E-MAIL: romboy@desnews.com