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Spruce Community School pitches project-based K–8 model with bound startup funding
Summary
Founder Lauren Kosowski presented a project-based, community-connected K–8 charter application targeting 64–72 students at launch and reported $500,000 secured for year 0 and near-$1,000,000 in multi-year support for initial operations.
Lauren Kosowski, founder of Spruce Community School, presented the school’s project-based learning model and founding board credentials to the board. Spruce described a community-integrated curriculum that connects students to local nonprofits and businesses and emphasized professional development and teacher coaching as core investments.
Kosowski said the team is pursuing facilities in the northeastern portion of District 11 and expects to open with 64–72 students, growing intentionally one year at a time. She reported startup funding that includes roughly $500,000 secured for year 0 and close to $1,000,000 in funding planned across years 1–3. Spruce also cited selection to a Charter School Growth Fund cohort as validation and a source of continuing support.
Board members asked about discipline models, CLDE and PowerSchool integration, and staffing for gifted and special-education services. Spruce said it will use district-standard screens (e.g., NGAP/COGAP) for gifted identification, co-teaching models for special education and PowerSchool for student information. District staff noted the DAC and district review results and pointed to technical budget and staffing items to resolve in contract negotiation.
The board thanked presenters and indicated the application will return as an action item after follow-up materials and district contract negotiation elements are drafted.
