Chorus Bridge charter reports stable funding, rising IEP share and plan to add STEM diploma

Mary Jensen, executive director of Chorus Bridge Charter School, gave the board an annual update on enrollment, academic performance and program changes.

"Right now, we have a total of 255 students," Jensen said. She reported a 6 percentage‑point increase in the share of students with individualized education programs (IEPs) since February 2024 and said the school now reports roughly a 29% IEP ratio. Jensen emphasized that the charter takes students with IEPs and said poverty measures at the school are high: she reported a 41% poverty rate among students.

Jensen acknowledged a drop in math proficiency tied to one grade cohort and said staff have identified and addressed the cause: "Eighth grade dropped tremendously... we identified what the issue was and it's now solved," she told trustees. Jensen said English language arts proficiency had improved and described instructional changes underway, including a middle‑school math tiering system that places students in instruction aligned to standards where they test (tier 1 = sixth‑grade standards, tier 2 = seventh, tier 3 = eighth).

Looking ahead, Jensen said the charter will move from trimester to semester scheduling and plans to offer a STEM diploma and a full‑time grades 6‑12 theater/arts/choir teacher. The school intends to align any changes in graduation requirements with pending state legislation.

Jensen told the board the charter operates on state and federal funds only, does not charge tuition and cannot levy local taxes. She summarized the school's fiscal position as stable and said auditors provided positive feedback on finances and expenditure levels.

Trustees thanked Jensen for the report; no board action was requested.