by Krystal Paco

Guam - Although they opened doors last week with the rest of the Department of Education, the Guahan Academy Charter School officially started classes today. GACS project manager Donna Dwiggins says last week was used primarily for placement testing as well as baseline testing to help document student progress. Before the end of this week she anticipates students to be placed in the proper classrooms.

"All kids are assessed in math, reading, and language and based on the skills that they know and what they need to learn so it facilitates moving kids as quickly as possible through the curriculum but it really facilities being able to instruct the students based on their level," she explained.

She notes parents whose students are enrolled at the charter school must formally withdraw their child from the public school they were enrolled to prior.

She adds that while they finalize their participation in the child nutrition program, students were served their first hot lunch today. In the coming weeks students will also be bringing home forms for parents to check eligibility for the Free or Reduced Lunch Program.