Charters Officially Awarded to 4 New Schools; 7 Renewals

State education officials recently presented the founders of four new schools and the leaders of seven existing schools with their charters at a ceremony held at Christa McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School in Framingham.

Secretary of Education Paul Reville, Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester, and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Chair Maura Banta were on hand to make the presentatons. 

Commonwealth charters granted include:

• Baystate Academy in Springfield (grades 6-12; opening in fall 2013)
• Lowell Collegiate in Lowell (grades K-12; opening in fall 2013)
• Paulo Freire Social Justice in Holyoke (grades 9-12; opening in fall 2012)

Horace Mann charter granted:

• Dudley Street Neighborhood Charter School in Boston (grades K1-5; opening in fall 2012)

In addition, the following seven Commonwealth Charter Schools received renewed charters on Wednesday:

• Academy of the Pacific Rim in Boston (grades 5-12)
• Christa McAuliffe Regional in Framingham (grades 6-8)
• Edward W. Brooke in Boston (grades K-8)
• Global Learning in New Bedford (grades 5-12)
• North Central Charter Essential School in Fitchburg (grades 7-12)
• Pioneer Charter School of Science in Everett (grades 7-12)
• Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion in Hadley (grades K-8)

"I am pleased to present four new charters today and continue the state's commitment to expanding high quality, public school options for students," said Commissioner Chester. "We expect great things from charter schools in Massachusetts and hold them accountable for results. I am eager to see these schools open successfully, deliver outstanding instruction, and prepare students for their future."

"We are proud to welcome these new charters to Massachusetts, and look forward to seeing the innovative ways in which they will help provide their students with the tools needed to succeed," said Secretary Reville.

"The Board takes its responsibility to grant new charters very seriously," said Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Chair Maura Banta. "I look forward to watching these four new schools open and provide the same level of excellence as other Massachusetts charter schools."

Click here to see photos of the event on the MCPSA Facebook page.