Founded by two Long Beach teachers, Constellation is now in its fourth year of operation and has reached its maximum enrollment of about 155 students. Charter status has enabled Constellation to dramatically reduce class size, increase parent involvement, improve teacher professionalism, offer more field trips and technology, and make the school more responsive to its community. These improvements are possible with the same dollars other schools receive. Constellation is able to offer these advantages because of the volunteer efforts by teachers, parents, and students. Constellation has no principal, vice principals, counselors, librarians, facilitators, specialists, or custodians.
Teachers volunteer their time to administer the school, a task made easier by small school size.
The money that would have paid for these positions is redirected back into the classroom. Parents agree to volunteer 21 hours each school year in service to the school. Students perform all custodial duties. C Charters are granted for a period up to 5 years. Constellation successfully completed the renewal process in January 1999.