Board hears five‑year renewal presentations from Kaleidoscope Academy and Appleton Public Montessori; review to continue in two weeks

Ebony Grice, assistant superintendent for school services, introduced two charter renewal presentations and said the district had standardized the data collection and checklist used during renewals.

Kaleidoscope Academy Principal Alex Malder described the school’s project‑based, arts‑integrated middle‑school model and its focus on small teaming structures. Malder said Kaleidoscope continues to emphasize arts integration, project‑based learning and individualized acceleration in math; the school reported gains on state report‑card measures and highlighted higher performance among specific subgroups. Malder acknowledged an enrollment decline and said the school intends to step up recruitment and community outreach.

Appleton Public Montessori (APM) representatives Courtney Moy (APM president) and Cassie Gilbel (administrator) described Montessori’s multiage classrooms, the school’s “prepared environment” and the school’s work to align Montessori practice with structured‑literacy expectations. APM said it added a contracted Montessori reading specialist and implemented “learning walks” to spread instructional practice. Both presenters called out challenges recruiting a more demographically balanced applicant pool and asked for continued district support for outreach and program integrity.

Why it matters: the presentations are part of the district’s five‑year charter renewal cycle. Both schools provided student‑achievement data, program details and improvement plans.

Board action: staff will return in two weeks to answer follow‑up questions and bring a recommendation for approval or other action.