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The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

Notice of Charter Renewals for Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School, Community Charter School of Cambridge, Holyoke Community Charter School, Lawrence Family Development Charter School, and South Shore Charter Public School

To:Members of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
From:Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D., Commissioner
Date:February 12, 2010


At the September 2009 meeting of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Board voted to authorize the Commissioner to act on its behalf in "(a) granting charter renewals that do not involve conditions or probation; and (b) approving charter amendments that do not involve changes in grade span, maximum enrollment, or districts served," provided that the Commissioner shall report to the Board on all such approvals and, provided further, "that the Commissioner shall notify the Board in advance of all such intended actions, and a Board member may request that the Commissioner place the charter matter(s) on the agenda of the Board for discussion and action."

In January 2010, I notified the Board that I intended to approve the renewal of the charters of five schools, Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School, Community Charter School of Cambridge, Holyoke Community Charter School, Lawrence Family Development Charter School and South Shore Charter Public School. At that time, I gave the Board the opportunity to request that any of these five proposed charter renewals be brought to the full Board for review and vote at the January meeting. The Board chose not to discuss or vote on any of these proposed charter renewals. I am now notifying the Board that I have approved these five charter renewals.

Summary information is provided below regarding the five schools that I approved for renewal for charter terms of July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2015. Each school is renewed for the maximum enrollment, grades served, and district(s) served as described below, and shall be operated in accordance with the provisions of General Laws chapter 71, section 89, and 603 CMR 1.00 and all other applicable state and federal laws and regulations and such additional conditions as the Commissioner may from time to time establish, all of which shall be deemed conditions of the charter.

Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School

Mission Statement: The Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School will create a learning environment that celebrates knowledge and where children of all backgrounds and abilities will excel in all subjects, especially math, science, and technology, enabling them to succeed in the workplace of a modern world.

Type of Charter:CommonwealthLocation:Marlborough
Regional/Non-Regional:RegionalDistricts in Region:Marlborough, Hudson, Maynard, and Clinton
Maximum Enrollment:828Grades Served:6-11

Community Charter School of Cambridge

Mission Statement: Community Charter School of Cambridge combines challenging academics with creative use of technology and real-world experience to prepare a diverse student body, grades 7-12, for postsecondary success and productive citizenship. CCSC students are excellent problem solvers and communicators who contribute to their community through internships and other field experiences.

Type of Charter:CommonwealthLocation:Cambridge
Regional/Non-Regional:Non-RegionalDistricts in Region:N/A
Maximum Enrollment:360 Grades Served:7-12

Holyoke Community Charter School

Mission Statement: The mission of Holyoke Community Charter School is to promote the joy of learning and to prepare a broad cross section of Holyoke children for success as students, workers, and citizens by providing them with a high quality education.

Type of Charter:CommonwealthLocation:Holyoke
Regional/Non-Regional:Non-RegionalDistricts in Region:N/A
Maximum Enrollment:702Grades Served:K-8

Lawrence Family Development Charter School

Mission Statement: Strong families, working in partnership with the school as advocates for academic achievement, will create an environment where every child has the opportunity to acquire the foundation skills and habits of mind that foster life-long learning, citizenship, participation and personal fulfillment.

Type of Charter:CommonwealthLocation:Lawrence
Regional/Non-Regional:Non-RegionalDistricts in Region:N/A
Maximum Enrollment:600Grades Served:PreK-8

South Shore Charter Public School.

Mission Statement: Inspiring every student to excel in academics, service, and life.

Type of Charter:CommonwealthLocation:Norwell
Regional/Non-Regional:RegionalDistricts in Region:Abington, Braintree, Brockton, Cohasset, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Holbrook, Hull, Kingston, Marshfield, Norwell, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Quincy, Randolph, Rockland, Scituate, Weymouth, Whitman
Maximum Enrollment:540Grades Served:K-12

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Jeff Wulfson, Associate Commissioner, at 781 338-6500; or Mary Street, Director of Charter Schools, at 781 338-3200; or me.