Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Princeton International Academy Charter School (PIACS)?

PIACS teaches dual language Mandarin-English immersion in an internationally-focused inquiry-based curriculum framework. The school opens in September of 2010 with Kindergarten through 2nd grade and adds one grade annually thereafter. PIACS is the first and only such a school among NJ and NYC metro public schools. top

What is the vision of PIACS?

The vision of Princeton International Academy Charter School (PIACS) is to educate young people of all backgrounds consistent with the highest ideals of human development, participatory democracy, and social justice with fluency in two international languages--Chinese and English--to promote a peaceful, ethical, and equitable world. PIACS students will be advocates, leaders, and change agents skilled as thinkers, communicators, and risk-takers who are knowledgeable, caring, and reflective in asking important questions and collaborating wisely, creatively and effectively for answers. top

Who is the target audience for PIACS?

PIACS affirms diversity and welcomes all students and families. We seek the broadest possible base of students from all ethnic, racial, cultural, linguistic, family, and social class backgrounds to develop dual language fluency and international mindedness. We welcome students from all linguistic backgrounds including heritage learners of English, Chinese, and all other world languages. Homework assignments are given in written English instructions for parents and guardians. top

What makes dual language education the best path to fluency in Mandarin Chinese and English?

Mandarin Chinese is the world's most spoken language. It is also one of the most difficult languages to learn for nonnative speakers and requires thousands of hours of class time for proficiency, which is best provided in an immersion setting. Immersion focuses instruction in the target language (Mandarin Chinese) as much as possible especially in early grades so that it is used in multiple ways rather than only studying it as one isolated school subject. English is introduced starting in first grade until both languages are used for instruction in all school subjects. Proficiency follows with research evidence demonstrating that dual language learners not only reach fluency in both languages but develop increased cultural awareness, metacognitive skills, and high levels of academic achievement, according to the Center for Applied Linguistics (CARLA).

PIACS uses two-way immersion (TWI) with an initial goal of at-least one-third of the target and nontarget language speakers in each classroom along with an academically rigorous environment for learning from each other and via classroom lessons and instruction. Advantages of two-way immersion include: (1) full oral, reading, and writing proficiency in both languages and the ability to use their first language as a comparison in analyzing and refining language use; (2) similar or higher student achievement levels as demonstrated on multiple measures including standardized test scores as well as the ability to read and write at grade level in two languages, which increases academic peformance, and (3) student attitudes are highly positive related to diverse languages and cultures and how they view themselves as learners. Research demonstrates TWI students evidence greater diversity in friendship choices, great comfort in speaking and interacting in both languages and with persons of various ethnocultural groups, and possess linguistic and cultural confidence to fully engage in a global society as compared to monolingual peers.

For more information, read the FAQ prepared by Language Immersion Education Research, Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA): http://www.carla.umn.edu/immersion/FAQs.html and the "Two-way Immersion Toolkit" prepared by Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL): http://www.cal.org/twi/toolkit/index.htm. top

Does PIACS plan to apply for the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum framework authorization in the future?

Yes. PIACS is not an authorized IB World School. It has filed "intent-to-apply" with the IB organization or is in Stage 1. Once PIACS starts its operation, it will seek to become an "IB candidate school" tentatively by the next earliest deadline of April 30, 2011. Once approved, PIACS will go through a vigorous process, which includes the implementation of the IB curriculum framework for at least one year and a site visit, in order to be fully authorized as an IB World School in a few years. top

What is Singapore Math and why will PIACS be using this curriculum?

Singapore Math is regarded worldwide as one of, if not the best. math curricula and PIACS principal Debbie Wei has had years of experience implementing it with top results with her students. PIACS is excited to be the first central NJ public school offering Singapore Math to ensure our students reach the highest international levels of mathematics skills. top

What districts does PIACS serve?

PIACS serves a region of students residing in Princeton Regional, West Windsor - Plainsboro Regional, and South Brunswick school districts. However, in the first year, PIACS may have up to 10% of students from out-of-region districts if slots are available after May 22. top

What is the cost?

PIACS is free as it is a public school. top

Where is PIACS located?

PIACS is seeking a zoning variance to house the school at 12 Perrine Road, Monmouth Junction, in South Brunswick, NJ as of September 2012. top

How do students get to PIACS?

Students are bused to PIACS through the bus service provided by their resident districts. School Districts have to provide transportation to all students in the same manner. If the student lives in one of the three districts of residence of PIACS, the district must actually provide the bussing. If the student lives in a district outside of the region of residence of PIACS, the district can provide what is called "aid in lieu of transportation," which is a little more than $800. top

What types of before-school, after-school, and summer-camp programs are available?

These programs will be contracted out and provided to families for a fee. top

How is PIACS funded?

Funding for PIACS is through local tax dollars. 90% of public tax dollars follow your child from the district that you reside in to finance the school. 10% is retained by the home district. PIACS founders support strong and innovative public schools for all children and adolescents. PIACS founders chose three districts to draw from to minimize the use of tax dollars from any one of the three districts. top

What is the effect of charter schools on local taxes?

None. Districts choose to create budgets based on local and state aid revenues. Charter schools such as PIACS are only funded with 90% the taxes of the children enrolled in the school. The districts retain 10% of the revenue from charter school students. Charter schools do not keep any funds for students who leave the school. If anything, charter schools must use tax dollars even more carefully than other public schools because of the 90% funding cap per student and charters must pay their own rent (in the case of PIACS) within that budget. top

How does PIACS affect staffing of the other public schools in the districts?

Once PIACS students register for PIACS, the districts are given the information so that they can plan their budgets and staffing accordingly. If there are fewer students attending the other public schools in the districts, the superintendents will need to reallocate staff resources, as they would with any other population shift over time. They have the power, the resources, and the skills to staff districts effectively. PIACS is a supporter of great public schools and seeks to be an educational ally and innovator as a public charter school within three excellent school districts. top

How are students with different abilities, disabilities, and gifts and talents served?

Students with varied abilities, disabilities, gifts, and talents are served through both traditional and special education and school counseling services as needed for developmental, emotional, learning, and physical disabilities. All PIACS students have gifts and talents and high expectations and high support for all students' learning needs are part of PIACS school culture. top

What are class sizes?

The Kindergarten and first grade classes are 20 students each and the second grade classes are 25 students each. Every classroom has a full-time teacher. Every Kindergarten or first-grade classroom has a full-time assistant teacher. The two second-grade classrooms share a full-time assistant teacher. top

Will the Kindergarten be full-day or half-day?

Full-day. The official school day will begin at 8:45 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. for all classes. top

Who founded PIACS and why?

Click here.


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