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The Mission of the Cocheco Arts and Technology Academy: A public charter school(CATA) is to provide excellence in secondary education in fundamental academics and also the performing arts, fine arts and technology related to the arts. CATA is dedicated to creating an education community where each student thrives, exploring personal interests in an atmosphere that encompasses different learning styles, individual learning opportunities, small class-sizes and multiple methods of learning assessments.

Description:
The Primary goals of Cata are:
To promote excellence in education through innovative, engaging and challenging coursework.
Teachers will constantly work to develop programs, class offerings and curricula that are tailored to challenge all students. The academy students and teachers will use every opportunity to bring education to life, making it personal, significant and stimulating.

To promote increased skills for future choices such as admittance to arts-based and/or liberal arts colleges using a professional representation of their arts and technology-based skills i.e. portfolio, resume, audition, power-point presentation, etc.
Each student will be matched with a mentor who will provide continuing guidance throughout the student's four years at CATA. This mentor will assist in the development of a professional representation of each student's abilities and potential. Examples of this are: a competitive audition combination that showcases a student's individual special talents; an artistic portfolio demonstrating an art student’s skills, experience and knowledge; or a web-site designed and maintained by a student.

To encourage and guide students to take responsibility for their education.
All students will be encouraged to aspire to work to the highest of their ability by the guidance of the teachers, faculty and staff. Narrative report cards will allow teachers to communicate with parents about student's efforts and advancements. Students will therefore be graded not only on their accomplishments and proficiency but also on their efforts, developments and improvements. Students will be encouraged to ask questions in class, request appointments with teachers, and initiate project topics. CATA fosters self-advocacy in students and clarifies that success is supported by communication between teachers and students.

To provide a curriculum that integrates arts and technology into the classroom rather than being a supplement to learning.
All teachers will strive to integrate the arts into academic and non-traditional courses as a way to bring excitement into education. Teachers of the arts and technology classes will equally integrate academics into the performing arts, fine arts and technology programs of study. Math, science, English and humanities teachers will work closely with arts and technology teachers as well as artist and professionals to deepen their own understandings and to help build connections across all curriculums.

To develop methods that identify, sustain and incorporate multiple learning styles and assessment enabling all students to attain their educational goals.
CATA teachers and staff will incorporate multiple learning styles into all classroom programs. Students will be encouraged to understand a variety of learning styles and identify which style or styles best suits their needs. By integrating the arts and academics and by utilizing activity-based learning, a variety of learning styles are supported. Activity (or performance) based learning puts students in charge of their education and asks them to demonstrate their knowledge and skills of all material. Too often, students are asked to analyze and retain knowledge but rarely expected to create and apply it. CATA will use activity-based learning to move students to higher and more independent levels of thinking and processing.

To nurture creative thinkers, independent learners, and active citizens.
Students will focus on math, science, English and humanities during core learning sessions each day. Students will also participate in one or two elective classes each day such as art, computer science, fitness, foreign language, as well as their focus study such as performance art, fine art, or technology based. This arrangement will expose students to a variety of educational experiences. This will also allow them to take advantage of the expertise of local artists, performers, professionals and technicians. Students will play a significant role in determining what subjects are offered for electives.

History:
I group of parents and educators formed together and created the vision and charter for the Cocheco Arts and Technology Academy in 2004. The State of New Hampshire granted the charter to the school which has been in operation for three years. Each year we have increased the number of students attending the Academy.

Contact people:

Deb Byrne, Principal, (phone), (email) Chris Stewart, (phone), (email) Ron Savage, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Address:

37A Province Lane Barrington, NH 03825 (See a map)

Directions:

Take Spaulding Turnpike (Rte 16) to Exit 8W in Dover At first light, turn right following Rte. 9 Travel to the intersection of Rte. 125, and cross over it Travel approx. 1.5 miles, bear right on Province Lane (follow Town. . . (more)

Miscellaneous Information

Name of Executive Director (or equivalent) if not listed above:
	Deb Byrne
Type of organization
	Nonprofit other than 501(c)3
Is your organization a Health and Human Service agency?
	No