EASTSIDE CHARTER SCHOOL OPERATES A K TO 8TH GRADE URBAN PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL SERVING 474 STUDENTS IN NORTHEASTWILMINGTON, DELAWARE, ONE OF THE POOREST AREAS IN THE STATE ABOUT 77% OF THE STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH UNDER FEDERAL GUIDELINES. THE SCHOOL'S GOALS ARE TO PREPARE STUDENTS TO BE CRITICAL THINKERS, TO INSTILL IN THEM A LOVE OF LEARNING, AND TO SHAPE THEM AS PRODUCTIVE, CONTRIBUTING MEMBER OF SOCIETY AMONG THE STRATEGIES IMPLEMENTED TO ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS ARE SMALLER CLASS (AVERAGE LESS THAN 20 PER CLASSROOM), INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION TO EACH CHILD'S ACADEMIC NEEDS, A LONGER SCHOOL YEAR, APEX HONORS PROGRAM, FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH FOR ALL, FOCUS ON POSITIVE CHARACTER AND BEHAVIOR TRAITS, AND CONSISTENT DISCIPLINE POLICIES.