The Pikes Peak School of Expeditionary Learning is an expeditionary learning outward bound Falcon-based charter school that focuses on hands on education. The program is field work-based, focused on the learner, and includes character education and community service components. Although there are 145 schools of this type nationwide and 10 in Colorado, the Falcon program is the first expeditionary learning outboard bound school in the Pikes Peak region.The school promotes small class sizes for its pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade students. The parent-governed school boasts a community-based board of directors and a dedicated staff, with 100 percent retention and a balance between male and female teachers. The school offers classes in Spanish, art, library, computer lab, physical education and music. Kids can participate in chess, band and sports clubs.Rich Sinclair is the principal, and he said parents from Falcon, Ellicott, Colorado Springs and as far away as Monument drive their kids to the Falcon charter school, located at 5450 Meridian Road, because of its supportive atmosphere and team action plans. The school is planning for growth, and, by 2005, the school will offer family style daily lunches and increase community service-based activities. To accommodate potential growth, their sights are set on a possible new site as soon as 2005.Everyone is invited to the monthly open houses, which take place on the fourth Wednesday of each month, from 5 p.m. to 6: 30 p.m. The next open house is Wed., April 28. For more information, call 683-9544 or visit www.ppsel.org.
