FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A charter school is a public, tuition‑free school authorized by the state to operate under a contract (charter) that defines its mission, academic model, and accountability. Charters have flexibility from some district rules in exchange for meeting performance and reporting requirements.
Future Frontiers is a public charter school—tuition‑free and open to eligible Iowa students—operating under a charter authorized pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 256E.
Under the school‑board model, the locally elected school board of the headquarters school district (Sumner-Fredericksburg Community School District) governs the school, setting policy, hiring the superintendent, and overseeing finance and performance. Other models may be district‑authorized, university‑sponsored, or EMO‑managed; those models can shift governance or operational control away from an independent local board.
Future Frontiers’ administrative headquarters is in Fredericksburg, Iowa. Instruction and internships occur primarily in students’ home communities at local employer sites, partner hubs, and online—so most learning happens where the student lives.
Graduates receive a Future Frontiers Charter School high school diploma awarded in compliance with Iowa graduation requirements and the school’s approved credit plan. Diplomas reflect completion of academic, competency‑based, and capstone requirements and may be accompanied by transcripts documenting concurrent‑enrollment college credits, industry‑recognized credentials, and apprenticeship completion where applicable.
This degree not only meets the standards that all Iowa public high schools meet, but will likely set you apart when looked upon by future employers and post-secondary institutions.
Students who are curious about career exploration, prefer hands‑on learning, benefit from personalized pacing, want real workplace experience, or seek concurrent college credit tend to thrive. The model supports diverse learners through internships, flexible online coursework, and targeted supports.
Yes—about 60% of learning is in‑person at local internship sites, partner hubs, or school gatherings; about 40% is online. Most learning occurs in students’ home communities so students can engage locally with employers, colleges, and family supports.
Credits are earned via competency‑based demonstrations aligned to Iowa Core standards and Universal Constructs—through coursework (online or concurrent enrollment), verified performance (portfolios, proctored exams), employer‑verified internship evidence, and annual capstones.
Yes—credits are designed to align with local graduation frameworks, and concurrent enrollment provides college transcripted credit. We coordinate with home districts and postsecondary partners to support transferability; final acceptance by a receiving institution/district follows their policies.
IRCs are certifications or credentials issued by industry bodies that validate workplace skills (e.g., IT certificates, trade credentials). Apprenticeships are structured, employer‑led training programs—sometimes registered—that combine paid work with instruction. We pursue IRCs and apprenticeships aligned to student pathways where feasible.
Graduates will demonstrate academic mastery plus Universal Constructs—communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and career readiness—documented via portfolios, employer verification, and capstone presentations.
There is no tuition. Families may incur incidental or “soft” costs (e.g., travel to internship sites, fees for optional certifications or some IRC exams). The school will seek partnerships, scholarships, and budget support to minimize such costs.
Students live at home and engage locally. The school does not provide universal daily transportation or meal service like a traditional district school, but we will coordinate supports where feasible (e.g., travel stipends, community partner arrangements) and ensure internships meet safety and supervision standards. Families should expect some local travel; details will be shared per placement.
Internships are matched to student interests and pathway maps; each placement has an MOU detailing learning goals, supervision, and safety. Employer mentors supervise day‑to‑day work, and advisory coordinators maintain regular check‑ins, evaluation, and credit verification.
We follow federal and state laws (ELPA21, IDEA, Section 504). Services are coordinated with home districts, AEAs, or contracted providers; individualized plans, accommodations, and staff training ensure access to coursework and internships.
Families receive progress reports through a secure portal, have at least two scheduled conferences yearly, can attend capstone presentations, and are invited to volunteer for panels or mentoring. Translation and interpretation services are provided for non‑English speaking families.
Future Frontiers is a tuition‑free public charter high school (grades 9–12) offering a competency‑based, work‑embedded program combining Iowa Core academics, Universal Constructs, concurrent enrollment, and employer‑supervised internships. Any eligible Iowa high‑school‑age student may apply.
Families submit an application during the posted enrollment window. If applications exceed capacity, a public, random lottery (with lawful priority tiers) is used to determine admission; a waitlist is maintained per our lottery procedures.
Students spend approximately 60% of their time in in‑person, work‑based learning placements, partner hubs, or school gatherings, and about 40% online via live or asynchronous courses (concurrent enrollment and teacher‑led classes). Schedules are personalized by pathway and internship timing.
Students engage in multiple short internships (roughly six‑week placements) each year to explore pathways. Internships are supervised by employer mentors and supported by our advisory coordinators; each placement uses a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining roles, learning objectives, and safety expectations.
The school uses competency‑based crediting anchored to Iowa Core standards and Universal Constructs. Students earn credits via verified performance (portfolios, employer verification, proctored assessments, capstones) and concurrent‑enrollment college credits. Graduation requires completion of the school’s credit plan and capstone requirements.
Yes. We partner with postsecondary institutions for concurrent enrollment and pursue industry‑recognized credentials (IRCs) and registered apprenticeship opportunities aligned to student pathways when available.
We comply with IDEA, Section 504, EL laws, and state requirements. We partner with home districts, AEAs, or contract providers to deliver IEP/504 services and EL instruction; we maintain timely referral, evaluation, and documentation processes and provide staff training on accommodations and supports.
An MTSS framework provides tiered supports: high‑quality core instruction, targeted small‑group tutoring, and intensive individualized plans. Advisors monitor attendance/engagement and implement early re‑engagement strategies and family outreach.
All internship partners sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) requiring background checks for staff who supervise students, adherence to safety protocols, and review of site suitability. Emergency procedures, incident reporting, and supervision expectations are documented and enforced.
Yes. Students may access extracurriculars through their resident school districts or community partners. Future Frontiers may host occasional school‑sponsored enrichment events; the school will coordinate eligibility and handle fees billed by districts as required.
Families receive regular progress updates through a secure portal and may request conferences. We hold at least two scheduled family meetings per year, offer optional volunteer opportunities (career panels, mentoring), and provide translation services or interpreters for non‑English speaking families.
The school uses online learning platforms and may employ AI‑enabled tools for formative supports, recommendations, and analytics with humans in the loop. All technology use follows privacy laws (FERPA), data‑minimization practices, and Board‑approved operational protocols; parents will be informed of major policy updates.