FAQs
General Questions about Green Dot Public Schools
Green Dot schools are free and open to all students. In independent public charter schools, Green Dot admits students entering the sixth or nine grades through a public random drawing, or later grades space permitting.
Depending on the campus, priority in the sixth and ninth grade lotteries may be given to siblings, founding families and/or to families living within the attendance area. At our transformation schools, all students with current, legal residence in the school’s attendance area, as well as non-attendance area students who currently attend the school, are guaranteed a seat.
In Tennessee, siblings of currently enrolled students, students with current, legal residence in another Achievement School District (ASD) school’s attendance area, and students who currently attend a non-ASD Priority School or who have a current, legal residence in a non-ASD Priority School attendance area may be eligible to attend. Please contact Green Dot Public Schools Tennessee with any questions.
Charter schools are independent public schools that are tuition-free and open to all students. Charter schools are funded primarily through a combination of federal, state and local tax dollars.
While closely regulated by the local school district, charter schools are able to exercise increased autonomy but are held strictly accountable for both academic growth and fiscal practices in return.
Start-up charter schools are independent public schools that, essentially, Green Dot started from scratch.
Transformation charter schools are schools in which Green Dot has assumed control of a persistently, low-performing district school in order to dramatically improve student experience and outcomes. These transformation schools were previously non-charter public schools that have been converted to independent public charters.
In Memphis, all Green Dot campuses are transformation schools. Authorized by the Achievement School District (ASD), all campuses under Green Dot’s leadership were previously a public school under the purview of the local district and on the state’s priority list. Schools receiving this priority list designation have consistently scored in the bottom 5 percent academically of all schools in the state.
Charter management organizations, such as Green Dot, are invited to partner with a school on the priority list in an effort to transform educational outcomes. Green Dot’s mission is to ensure all students receive access to high quality instruction and as such, we transform the entire campus.
The ASD was created to catapult the bottom 5% of schools in Tennessee to the top 25% in the state. A state authorized turnaround district, the ASD is under the purview of the Tennessee Department of Education.
For more information, please visit: http://www.achievementschooldistrict.org
“Ánimo” is a Spanish word that means “vigor, mind, spirit, valor and the courage to overcome odds”.
In a broken education system where outcomes are most unequal for low-income and minority youth, Green Dot is founded on the premise that tomorrow’s youth must possess "Ànimo", and we are willing to do what it takes to ensure all students are prepared for college, leadership and life.
Questions about Enrolling at Green Dot
Please visit the Enroll section of our website for more information on how to enroll in Green Dot schools. If there are more applicants than seats, Green Dot will hold a public, random lottery.
Yes, Green Dot schools are committed to serving all students, including those with special needs. Our educational programs are tailored to a student's individual needs, and we partner with the district to provide any additional services that may be required under a student's individualized education plan (IEP).
No. However, upon enrolling their child in a Green Dot school, Green Dot asks all parents to stay actively involved in their children’s education at home, including creating a quiet study environment and participating in school meetings and events.
Questions about Teaching at Green Dot
If your mission is to ensure that every student, regardless of race, income, neighborhood or special needs, receives a great education, then Green Dot is the place to achieve it. We believe in finding educators who are fiercely dedicated to this mission.
We also believe in building a system of support, collaboration and professional growth opportunities, with school leaders you can respect, so you can see your efforts pay off.
We believe all students deserve to realize their full potential.
As a highly effective teacher, you understand what it takes to help students succeed. At Green Dot, we believe it starts with fostering an environment that inspires every individual. We need your enthusiasm and passion to help students build confidence and self-esteem, so they can realize their full potential.
We want to change the outcomes of underperforming schools.
You understand that student results start with a foundational change in school culture. That's the challenge we're taking head on, and we need your help. Show students that you do believe in them, that they will graduate high school prepared to succeed in college.
We want to work hard, so we can see every stakeholders grow.
You came into education to make an impact, but you haven't found that ability at other schools. At Green Dot, we offer that kind of opportunity. If you're ready to work as hard as you can to help others, join us. You'll experience the student growth and personal growth you've been searching for your whole career.
Green Dot believes in coaching, collaboration and career ladder opportunities. We are one of only a few charter management organizations nationwide, funded by the Gates Foundation, to build a data-driven, job-embedded, individualized system to accelerate teacher growth. This system includes:
- School leaders who spend the majority of their time on instruction, observation and coaching.
- Demonstration classroom teachers and mentor teachers.
- Individual qualitative and quantitative online data for each teacher to customize their professional learning.
- A series of “All Green Dot Days” and “Data Days” for teachers to grow network-wide professional practices and engage in deep study of their instructional craft and their students’ progress.
- A teacher-driven, research-based framework for effective teaching that defines quality teaching across our schools.
- Ongoing school-wide professional development on a weekly basis.
- Curriculum specialists or ‘coaches’ who work directly with teachers to improve practice.
All Green Dot teachers must be credentialed.
Yes, in California. Green Dot Public Schools California is one of few non-district public school operators in California that has unionized teachers and unionized classified staff. Green Dot’s California teachers have organized as the Asociación de Maestros Unidos (AMU), a CTA (dual NEA and AFT) affiliate. Key reforms embodied in the AMU contract include:
- Teachers have explicit say in school policy and curriculum
- No tenure or seniority preference
- A professional work day rather than defined minutes
- Flexibility to adjust the contract in critical areas over time
Please visit the Careers section of our website for more information on how to apply to be a Green Dot teacher.