Three Groups Propose to Open Charter Schools in Central MA
Tuesday, August 04, 2015
"Massachusetts' charter schools are some of the best in the nation and present a promising opportunity to improve the overall quality of public education and the lives of the children who attend,"said Governor Charlie Baker. "Increasing access to high-quality education is essential, especially for families in underperforming districts, if we are to ensure that every child, regardless of zip code or income, has the ability to attend a great school and realize their full potential."
Of those applicant groups, three of them proposed charter schools in Central Massachusetts.
These groups include:
Massachusetts Biotechnology Charter School - Serving students in grades 6-12 from Auburn, Berlin-Boylston, Grafton, Leicester, Millbury, Northbridge, Oxford, Shrewsbury, Sutton, Wachusett, West Boylston, Worcester (Max. enrollment: 936 Open: 2016)
International Academy of Montachusett Charter School - Serving students in grades K-12 from Wachusett Regional, Fitchburg, Leominster, Clinton, North Middlesex Regional (Max. enrollment: 1,168; Open: 2016).
Old Sturbridge Academy Charter Public School - Serving students in grades K-8 from Brimfield, Brookfield, Dudley-Charlton, Holland, Monson, Sturbridge, Palmer, Wales, Warren, Webster, West Brookfield, Tantasqua, Quaboag, Spencer-East Brookfield, Southbridge (Max. enrollment: 360; Open: 2016).
"I am pleased to see such a wide range of applications from across the Commonwealth," said Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Mitchell D. Chester. "Massachusetts has a rigorous approval process, and my department will review each of these applications carefully before deciding which to advance to the next level."
Final applications will be due Nov. 4, 2015, and ESE staff and external reviewers with expertise in education, finance, the law, and organizational structure will review each final application. Commissioner Chester will then decide which finalists to recommend to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Board will vote on the commissioner's recommendations in February 2016.
In school districts performing in the lowest 10 percent statewide and in which the 9 percent net school spending charter cap is or would be exceeded, applications will be considered only from proven providers (a designation that is based on the performance criteria described in 603 CMR 1.04(4)). For applicants who must demonstrate that they qualify as proven providers, an invitation to submit a final application will be contingent on the commissioner's granting of proven provider status.
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