EAST TEXAS (KYTX) -- Vickie Brown is scoping a new charter school looking to open in Tyler.
"I was looking at different kinds of schools for Mary, she's three years old and in a few years will start kindergarten," she said. "We definitely think we don't want her to go to a public school. I've been a public school teacher for 13 years and not an environment I want our child to be in."
Vista Academy is partnering with Stepping Stone Elementary, in hopes of offering a no-cost education that they say exceeds state guidelines.
"Higher academic standards, pride ourselves on character development," superintendent for the region Gwen Abshire said. "Texas is one of the leading states in charter schools. We think it's positive because it's friendly competition. Parents get to pick and choose what works for their individual child."
Abshire said the schools all meet TEA guidelines and take benchmarks and state tests. But they expect more from students and in return, have smaller classes. A ratio of 20 students per teacher.
"Smaller classrooms, more one on one, different options, parents are more involved," Brown said.
There is another informational meeting for parents next week, March 22 at 7 p.m. at the Stepping Stone Elementary in the gym. 3105 University Blvd. Tyler, TX.
