AURORA, Colo. -- A low-performing school is about to be split in two.

Fletcher Elementary at 10455 E. 25th Avenue is now a Kindergarten through fifth grade school.

Next fall though, after poor CSAP scores, it will become a K-3 Primary School and a fourth through eighth grade Intermediate Science and Technology School.

"Estamos aqui para los ninos para nuestro futuro. We're here for the children, they are our future," said Aurora Public Schools Superintendent John Barry in both Spanish and English.

Eighty-two percent of students at Fletcher are learning English as a second language.

Ninety-two percent are on free or reduced lunch plans.

Now, they're about to be part of a pilot program that was one full year in the making.

"I'm extremely emotional. I'm very excited. I'm ready for educational reform," said Angelina Walker, a teacher and design planner for the new pilot.

The move is a partnership with the teacher's union and the APS board of education.

Modeled after schools in Boston, Fletcher teachers and administrators will have direct control over curriculum and the budget, with an on-site governing board to assist.

"Organized. It's specific. It has tremendous goals and objectives," Barry said. "That's what I'm excited about."

All of the school's teachers voted for the plan and will now have to agree to one year contracts to stay within the framework of the new objectives and methods.

If they don't like it or if leaders feel they aren't working out, the teachers would be free to work at another school.

"You as a teacher...we know what's best for students. But we don't always get to make those instructional decisions, and so, with the pilot school our hope is that we do get to make those and that student achievement will grow," Walker said.

The principal said it's almost a hybrid charter schools concept that combines freedom with the continued affiliation with APS.

"It really is the best of both worlds," said principle Lisa Nieto.

One example of the expanded freedom she looks forward too relates to the budget.

If the district mandates each school spend $8,000 on a new textbook, Fletcher leaders could decide to find that material online and spend the money on field trips or hands-on, interactive learning tools.

The schools will open in the fall and will have three years to exceed district averages on standardized state tests within three years.

The Intermediate Science and Technology school will need a new principal and will phase in its older students; sixth and seventh graders will attend in 2009-2010 with eighth graders joining in 2010-2011.

"The more technology, the more opportunities they have right now, at an early age, it's only going to give them a better chance in the future, whatever they want to do when they grow up," said Karina Lopez, a parent of one current Fletcher student.