By Andrew Firestone

Somerville might have found a solution to their education demographics problem with a new charter school. With 18 percent of public school students needing intensive studying in the English language, the proposed school would take up the work brought on by an incredible demand for basic English language services in the city education system.

Somerville was able to begin the process first by a 2010 state law adding three percentage points of school district funds becoming available for charter school projects to 12 percent in 2011. Tentatively named the Somerville Progressive Charter School, the proposed institution would serve 425 students in the kindergarten to eighth grade. Language skills will be emphasized, with first and second graders spending as much as four hours a day on building reading and writing, along with science and math.

The proposal will go before school committee in February.