Kato Public Charter School
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{{Infobox school
| name = Kato Public Charter School
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| streetaddress = 110 North 6th Street
| city = Mankato
| state = Minnesota
| zipcode = 56001
| country = United States
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| head_label = Director
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| teaching_staff = 7.34 (FTE) (as of 2012{{ndash}}13){{cite web |title=School Detail for Riverbend Academy |url=http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=2700226&ID=270022603471 |publisher=National Center for Education Statistics |accessdate=30 March 2015}}
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| ratio = 9.13 (as of 2012{{ndash}}13)
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| grades = 6{{ndash}}12
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| nickname = Kodiaks
| colors = Turquoise, Black, and White
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| enrollment_as_of = 2012{{ndash}}13
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| homepage = {{URL|http://www.katopcs.org}}
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Kato Public Charter School is a charter school in Mankato, Minnesota, United States. The school opened as RiverBend Academy in September 2000 and rebranded as Kato Public Charter School in 2014. Kato Public is part of the EdVisions Schools co-op and is in its own independent school district, ISD #4066.
Structure
The school has around 70 students from grades 6{{ndash}}12 and five general education teachers (called advisors), plus art and a special education department, Title I staff, and other educational and support staff.{{cite web|url=http://www.riverbendacademy.com/education/components/scdirectory/default.php?sectiondetailid=69&|title=Contact Directory|publisher=RiverBend Academy Charter School|accessdate=23 August 2010}}
Education at Kato Public centers on project-based learning. With the help of their advisors, students create projects that cover the Minnesota Graduation Standards. There are also regular field trips to organizations around the community and experts are brought in to teach students about particular topics.
History
In 1995, the Mankato Area Public Schools (ISD #77) formed a group to look at alternatives for public education in the area. Two years of discussion resulted in the founding of Bridges Community School, which was run by ISD #77 and initially served children in grades 5-6 (and later expanded to cover grades K-6). Recognizing the need for alternative educational opportunities for older students, work continued and a model was developed for a secondary-level charter school. In September 2000, the charter school opened its doors (as RiverBend Academy) to more than 150 students.{{cite web|url=http://www.riverbendacademy.com/education/dept/dept.php?sectiondetailid=174&|title=History|publisher=RiverBend Academy Charter School|accessdate=23 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715190316/http://www.riverbendacademy.com/education/dept/dept.php?sectiondetailid=174&|archive-date=15 July 2011|url-status=dead}}
As of the 2009{{ndash}}10 school year (the most recent year for which data is available as of August 2011), Kato Public served 69 students in grades 6-12. The majority of students (60) were in grades 9{{ndash}}12, with just 9 students in grades 6{{ndash}}8, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
In 2010, Kato Public celebrated its tenth anniversary, succeeding in a state where 37 of 200 charter schools have closed their doors since Minnesota first allowed charter schools in 1992.{{cite web|url=http://mankatofreepress.com/local/x2023219132/RBA-school-celebrates-10th-anniversary|title=RBA school celebrates 10th anniversary|last=Kent|first=Tanner|date=24 May 2010|publisher=Mankato Free Press|accessdate=23 August 2010}}
The charter school rebranded itself as Kato Public Charter School for the 2014 school year.{{cite web|url=http://www.mankatofreepress.com/local/x2117431427/RiverBend-to-rebrand-get-new-leader|title=RiverBend to rebrand, get new leader|author= |date=31 May 2014|publisher=Mankato Free Press|accessdate=24 June 2014}}
Closing
On March 20th, Kato Public Charter School announced that they would not be opening for the 2025-2026 school year, and will close permanently on June 30th, 2025.
References
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External links
- [http://www.katopcs.org/ Kato Public Charter School website]
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Category:Charter schools in Minnesota
Category:Public high schools in Minnesota
Category:Public middle schools in Minnesota