Expanding windows of opportunity through personalized place-based Montessori education.
About Us
At scale, PCM will serve 280 kindergarten through 9th grade students. Our school will be the only other public school option for Pullman and local WA residents. PCM seeks to expand educational opportunities for students, adding access to curriculum and educational programs not accessible through Pullman School District. PCM will use a community emboldened, developmental place-based Montessori educational model to meet the diversifying needs of our rural yet dynamic and growing community.
Enrollment at PCM is FREE and no financial responsibilities are expected of families. PCM will open its doors in August 2021 to Kindergarten through 5th grade students. We will expand a grade level per year thereafter until we reach capacity. PCM is a public charter school open to any student regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religious affiliation, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social or economic status, and/or special needs. ALL enrolled students regardless of background are afforded the same rights, privileges, programs, and activities available to all students.
PCM provides support services, common to any public schools, in order to meet the needs of ALL students. These services include special education, 504 plans, English Language Learner programs, and highly capable programming.
OSPI report card data and authorizer reports will be available on our website when they become available.
During our planning year (2020-21 school year following approval but prior to doors opening) PCM will feature a small staff: Head of School, Montessori Instructional Coach - Director of Academic Programs, a part-time FACE Coordinator, and a part-time Office Manager. In the winter of 2020 we will begin building our teaching staff and other operations positions. Check our CAREERS tab frequently for postings. This is another areas PCM intends to partner with families. IF you are interested in participating in candidate interviews please send an email to info@mypcm.org with Candidate Interviews in the subject line.
PCM is governed by a 5-11 member volunteer Board of Trustees. As a public entity we comply with the Open Public Meetings Act and intentionally include public comment as a standing component of our agenda. We meet virtually the 4th Tuesday of every month at 5:00 PM. The board is supported in their work by 5 standing committees: Governance, Finance, Development, Leadership Evaluation & Support, and Academic Excellence.
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At PCM, we focus heavily on family and community engagement to bolster student outcomes. Our academic calendar provides ample opportunity for family involvement, community building, and showcasing of student work.
Lease of Gladish Community and Cultural Center (known locally as ‘Gladish’) was identified as the ideal option due to a confluence of: cost; facility amenities; mission alignment; community-based services housed in the building; central location within Pullman; and proximity to the local library, bus routes, biking/walking paths, parks, and WSU campus.
Each state has autonomy in the formation of its charters sector which is why there is so much variability among states. Washington States charter sector is unique and was formed late in the national movement, incorporating the successes and mistakes made by other states. Washington's charter sector boasts some of the highest accountability standards in the nation.
In general, a charter school is an independently operated public school that qualifies for federal and state funding and cannot raise money through local levies and local bonds.
Source: https://e3rochester.org/myths/