New charter high school announces open enrollment

On Monday, January 25th, the Montello School District Board of Education approved a contract between the District and High Marq Environmental Charter School (HMECS) Governing Council. In essence, a charter school within Montello School District boundaries was created.

This has been a two-year process. The HMECS Governing Council and others have worked diligently to bring a charter school to our area that will set us apart from other schools and provide greater opportunities to our area students and families looking for alternatives to traditional settings.

High Marq’s goal is to provide quality project-based learning to its students with an emphasis on environmental studies. This means that students will continue receiving instruction in core subjects that coincides with a focus on the environment; however, it will be delivered and learned in a different manner.

Briefly, project-based learning allows students to work independently across curriculum lines in an experiential or hands-on setting. With High Marq’s ability to access Marquette County’s numerous environmental resources, the students and parents who want an environmentally focused education will be provided that opportunity.

With the contract approval, the HMECS Governing Council is moving forward with securing a lead instructor who will solidify the curriculum for implementation in the coming school year for Grades 9-12. In the coming days, High Marq will have a brochure and website that will provide more information.

High Marq is now ready to accept applications and wants to make surrounding areas aware that “Open Enrollment” is active from February 1-19.

If you are interested in what High Marq has to offer, please contact Chuck Harsh, High Marq Administrator, at 608-297-2126 for more information. If you want information on how to “Open Enroll” your child, please contact Barb Pfeiffer at 608-297-7617.