The Founders Academy

The Founders Academy is a charter school in Manchester, New Hampshire, United States. The academy's charter states that the focus is to provide a classical education with a business and law and ethics focus to students in grades six through twelve who reside in the state of New Hampshire.

History

The Founders Academy Foundation presented an application to the New Hampshire State Board of Education on July 18, 2013, seeking to open "The Founders Academy Public Charter School", with the purpose of providing a classical education for students in grades 6 through 12, educating them in good business practices and leadership skills.^[2]

The foundation's request was approved, and they were allowed to create and open The Founders Academy (TFA). The academy began with grades six through eight, with plans to expand up to twelfth grade. TFA opened for its inaugural year September 2, 2014, with nine staff members and a student body of 100 in grades 6 through 8.^[3]

For the 2015-2016 school year, TFA has doubled its staff and student body numbers, in addition to adding ninth grade.

Construction and facilities

The building, a former manufacturing plant located near Manchester–Boston Regional Airport, was refurbished by North Point Construction Management over the summer of 2014 for a cost of $3,705,000. Construction continued throughout the 2014-2015 school year. All classrooms and faculty offices were completed, but an auditorium still remains to be built, pending funding. The land the school resides on is owned by The Founders Academy Foundation.

The 59,260-square-foot (5,505 m²) facility includes:

• 2 multi-purpose rooms
• 10 shared faculty offices
• Library
• The Founders Academy Foundation Offices
• 28 classrooms
• Chemistry lab

Curriculum

TFA covers the core subjects of history, English language arts, science, and mathematics. In addition, a fine arts program with classes in band, choir, and visual arts is offered. Every middle school student is required to take French or Spanish. Latin is offered to those in high school.

The school's landmark classes, Entrepreneurship and History of New Hampshire, are no longer available for all students.

See also

• Academy for Science and Design

References

External links

• The Founders Academy Foundation
• http://education.nh.gov/instruction/school_improve/charter/documents/founders_7_2013.pdf
• http://www.unionleader.com/Charles-Arlinghaus-Charter-schools-provide-character-and-knowledge-to-_tomorrows-leaders

Coordinates: 42°56′49″N 71°26′13″W / 42.946995°N 71.437016°W / 42.946995; -71.437016