Campus Community School is a charter school. A charter school is an independent public school governed by an independent board of directors. A charter is an approved charter application that outlines the educational and administrative plan to which the school and the State of Delaware have agreed. Charter schools are free from some state laws and regulations to encourage innovation. Charter schools receive state and local funds based on an allocation for each enrolled student. Charter schools do not receive money for facilities. No tuition is charged.

Some of the goals stated in the CCS charter are:

To provide students with strong academic preparation. To promote development of student's critical and creative thinking skills. To create integrated learning experiences and curricular structure that allows students to apply knowledge to real-life situations and to recognize and develop their own unique abilities. To present a working model of school-based decision making. To provide means of fostering adult/family participation in children's educational experiences. (The entire charter for the Campus Community School is a 30 page document. This can be made available in the main office.)

The teaching approach used at CCS is called constructivism.

Teachers plan thematic lessons that demonstrate the relationships among all subject areas. The thematic lessons were developed using Delaware's Education Standards as a base. Teachers use interesting projects to teach the curriculum. The focus is not driven by textbooks. Technology, manipulatives, research materials, individual reading books, and hands-on learning provide the learning resources. Students are expected to produce quality work.

There is an emphasis on parental participation at CCS.

Parents are welcome and expected to play a part in the school and in assisting their child(ren).

A site based management approach is used at CCS.

This means that parents, teachers, and students all have valuable input as to how the school operates.

Campus Community School's social constructivist philosophy of teaching strives toward students becoming self-directed learners. Choice Theory, developed by Dr. William Glasser, compliments this philosophy as it offers an explanation of human behavior. He explains that all behavior (good and bad) is purposeful and chosen in an attempt to meet one or more of our five basic needs. These five needs are: Survival, Love & Belonging, Power, Freedom, and Fun.

Our staff at CCS attends training sessions to become educated in Glasser's theories. Choice Theory can then help us to better undertand our own behaviors as well as behaviors of the students. Students use a variety of activities such as projects and class meetings while learning about Choice Theory.

Our goal is to become certified by the Glasser Institute as a "Quality School" which is best described in Dr. William Glasser's The Quality School and Robert Sullo's Inspiring Quality in Your School.

We encourage parents of students at CCS and prospective students' parents to learn more about Glasser's theories by visiting the following websites:

The William Glasser Institute
The Choice Theory Connection
Choice Theory Psychology