Group looks to create new charter school in Centre Co.; provide 'classical education'

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — A new schooling option could soon be coming to State College after a proposed new charter school says they would offer what they call “a classical education.”

Mark Parfitt is the chair of the group trying to form the Nittany Mountain Classical Academy. He says that over the last six years, his group has been heavily involved with the school board races and he says he feels there is a need for other schooling options.

“During that time, we’ve had the opportunity to meet with so many families in the State College School District who say they would like some kind of alternative, that they are not happy with the curriculum and the programming in the schools, and they’d like some kind of other choice.”

He says they are preparing to apply to be a part of Hillsdale College’s charter school program and follow their 1776 curriculum which they say provides students with “an American classical education.”

Parfitt says there is an emphasis on topics like American democracy and capitalism.

This would be the first curriculum of its kind in the State College area.

“A lot of parents are looking for a back-to-basics option. If you look at the number of families that have enrolled in homeschooling, it’s increased dramatically, there are families that don’t necessarily want to homeschool, but they feel they have no other option.”

According to the State College Area school board, there are currently three charter schools within the district boundaries, and a variety of online options. In regard to this proposal, they say, “the school board takes its responsibility of oversight very seriously and, like any other issue, would thoroughly evaluate any charter application and follow the law.”

The curriculum from Hillsdale College has drawn fire from educators around the county.

NBC reported last year that Hillsdale has become more widely known as a resource for conservatives looking to change basic education. NBC says, “history lessons teach children to love America and reject the notion that racism still permeates society.”

Parfitt says that once they have their full proposal, it will be reviewed by the school board up to two times. He also says he expects to be denied both times, and then move onto the chapter school appeal board.

“During the school board races, the State College school board publicly made statements against charter schools, so we don’t think it’s just our application, we think they will not approve any charter schools.”

He says that they hope to be accepted into the Hillsdale College’s charter program this September, and that if that happens, it would be a minimum of two years to get everything together to be reviewed by the school board.

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