DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Some Dubuque parents are concerned about the end of an elementary school’s charter status, despite officials saying many of the school’s practices will remain in place. The Dubuque Community School Board voted in January not to renew Prescott Elementary School’s status as a charter school, The Telegraph Herald reported. Officials said they believed the school didn’t see significant improvement in student achievement during its 12 years as a charter.

The school will keep its expeditionary-learning instructional design, with an integration of the arts, and continue having students spend two years with the same teacher, Principal Vicki Sullivan said. She said officials believe they’ve found ways to keep the school’s identity.

“I do not think that the children will be experiencing a large difference,” Sullivan said.
The school will see some changes, such as transitioning to regular enrollment boundaries next school year instead of being open to all students, Sullivan said. Students who were enrolled this school year will be allowed to continue attending classes, district officials said.

About 15 students have decided to leave Prescott and attend their home schools, Sullivan said. The school has about 260 students. Parent Liz Wiskus said she’s decided to transfer her daughter, Hailey, to Carver Elementary School in the fall for fifth grade.
“Too much was in limbo,” Wiskus said. Naomi Clark’s daughter, Liberty, will start the fourth grade in the fall. Clark said she plans to open-enroll Liberty at Prescott, despite concerns about how the school may change.

“They have friends here,” Clark said. “They know the teacher, they know the school and hopefully, many of the charter elements will be kept.”