Franklin School of Innovation names executive director

Here’s the press release from the Franklin School of Innovation:

It is with great pleasure that Franklin School of Innovation announces that school founder, Michelle Vruwink has agreed to serve as the school’s inaugural Executive Director.  After an exhaustive search the Board determined that Vruwink’s background, experience, and vision for the school exceeds that of any other candidate.
“We are thrilled that she has accepted the offer for our startup year,” said Patrick Feehan, Founding Board Member and Search Committee Chair. “In early 2012, Michelle shared a vision to bring a much needed middle/high school of choice to the community. Since then, she has been nurturing the vision of what will be Buncombe County’s first Expeditionary Learning Middle & High School – The Franklin School of Innovation. Her unwavering commitment and unmatched drive and perseverance have led the organization to its current success.”

As both the visionary behind the mission, and the drive behind every aspect of operations, the board believes Vruwink’s leadership is pivotal to a successful launch.  She has agreed to formally accept leadership of the day-to-day operations of the school when it opens in August 2014. Until then, she will continue to serve as the Chair of the Board of Directors.

Vruwink’s professional roots lie in education research and evaluation. She is co-founder and Director of Arroyo Research Services, Inc., a national education research and evaluation firm focused on helping its clients achieve academic excellence through data-driven decision making.

With her diverse background in education and health policy, government service, and nonprofit program development, she brings a wealth of expertise to the Franklin organization.  Under Vruwink’s leadership, the Franklin School was able to partner with the Glass Foundation for the purchase of the school’s permanent facility at 265 Sardis Road.

Vruwink has two children in local public schools, is an active PTO member, and is a passionate supporter of excellent public education. She firmly believes that all students can and must learn at high levels, and that skills and traits such as persistence, innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving can be taught.

Vruwink  earned her Master’s in Public Administration from the Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, NYU.

The Franklin School of Innovation will follow the Expeditionary Learning model developed by Outward Bound and the Harvard School of Education, which emphasizes project-based learning, a spirit of inquiry and critical thinking, and strong character development.
Facts about the Franklin School of Innovation

The Franklin School of Innovation, which will be located on 13+ acres at 265 Sardis Road, is a free public charter school serving students in grades 6-12 in the Asheville and Buncombe County region. The school is open to any student eligible for enrollment in North Carolina public schools.

The school is still accepting applications for 2014/15 school year for grades 6-9; limited slots are available.

Opening in August 2014 with grades 6-9, adding a grade each year.  By year four, FSI will have capacity to serve 288 students in  middle school and 448 students in high school.

Curriculum will follow the Expeditionary Learning model developed by Outward Bound and the Harvard School of Education, which emphasizes hands-on project-based learning, a spirit of inquiry and critical thinking, and strong character development.

The Expeditionary Learning model also incorporates meaningful family engagement, with student-led conferences and passage portfolios in which students present their learning and achievements.

Teachers at FSI will participate in an integrated program of professional learning, with frequent collaboration and shared planning, observation, and feedback. Teachers will develop multi-disciplinary “Learning Expeditions” which engage students in long-term, real-world learning opportunities across the disciplines. Civic engagement and service learning will be incorporated in the Expeditions.

The  Franklin School of Innovation is not-for-profit organization organized under the laws of North Carolina, with 501(c)3 status pending, filed in October 2013. All work done to organize the school to date has been accomplished by unpaid volunteers.