In efforts to meet the needs of a growing population, the Dublin Learning Corporation recently announced plans to open a charter high school in Dublin.

The independently operated public school would be designed to offer a unique, challenging education program, according to DLC president Rully Kusuma. Although he has no background in starting schools, he said that all members of the organizing group are from Dublin and are meeting with experts in the field to get the project moving.

“There’s only one high school in Dublin and it’s on the other side of town,” Kusuma said. “Statistics and projected growth show it’s time to have another high school.”

In describing the school, he said it would have a high level of community involvement, offer more Advanced Placement (AP) classes and be a collaborative learning environment different than is offered by the Dublin Unified School District.

The nearest school of its kind is Livermore Valley Charter School, which has programs for kindergarten to middle school. The four-year-old school also has announced plans to open a high school in the fall of 2010.

While Tassajara Prep would be tuition free, with funding from the state and community, other secondary school options for parents include private high schools such as Valley Christian at 7500 Inspiration Dr., Dublin, Athenian in Danville, and Carondelet and De La Salle Catholic in Concord.

The project is in its early planning stages, with charter school organizers now submitting petitions to the local school district as well as meeting with the public to gauge interest and gain feedback. Having had a booth at the Day at the Glen festival at Emerald Glen Park, they have also planned three town hall meetings.