District/School Administration Administration
The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

Charter Schools - Approval of Charter Amendment on Uphams Corner Charter School

Pursuant to the Charter School Regulations, 603 CMR 1.11(1), the Board of Education must approve major changes in the material terms of a school's charter. Uphams Corner Charter School (UCCS) has made a request to change its leadership structure and its curriculum model, a request that meets the criteria for a major amendment as defined in the regulations. If granted, this amendment will take effect immediately. I recommend that the Board grant this request.

The school's original charter called for a leadership structure headed by a headmaster, with three administrators reporting to the headmaster - a dean of administration, a chair of humanities, and a chair of math/science. The current proposal creates a structure in which a head of school, formerly known as the headmaster, continues to act as the administrative leader. The head of school now has two administrators who report directly to him or her, a principal/director of studies and a business manager. The principal/director of studies provides instructional leadership and oversight for teaching and learning. The school's board determined that this structure provides enhanced efficiency and greater oversight for academic and operational issues.

This amendment request also includes changes to the school's curriculum that, when taken as a whole, constitute a major amendment. Some items reflect a reorganization of existing elements of the school's program, while other items reflect components of the original charter application that were not implemented.

1. Course of studies. The original charter called for a curriculum model in which literature and social studies were integrated into a course in humanities and math and science were also combined and integrated. The school found that these integrated courses did not meet the needs of their students and now offers separate classes in literacy, rhetoric, social studies, math, and science to all students.
2. Educational Format. The original charter outlined five teaching formats, including cross-curricular study of rhetoric, Socratic inquiry, collaborative learning, community orientation, and apprenticeships. The school is not offering apprenticeships.
3. Teaching Teams. The original charter called for students to remain with the same teachers for two years. This practice was discontinued after the first two years of the school's operation.
4. Admission in Grade Five. The original charter called for students to enter the school in grade five only. This policy was abandoned for practical reasons after the first two years of the school's operation. The school currently accepts students into all grade levels.
5. Summer Program. The original charter called for a month long, off-site summer boarding program for all students after the third year of the school's operation. This program was never implemented.
6. Single Gender Classes. The original charter called for classes to be separated by gender. For practical reasons concerning enrollment numbers, this model was abandoned after the first three years of the school's operation.
7. Community Outreach. A major component of the school's mission was to foster student civic involvement through community outreach. Many of the partnerships envisioned in the original charter, including one with City School and one with Uphams Corner Health Center, have not been implemented.
8. Adult Literacy Classes. The original charter included a plan to offer adult literacy classes at the school within the first year of operation. Resources have not been available to implement this program.

The Department has reviewed this request and it appears consistent with the charter school statute and regulations.

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

Enclosure: Correspondence from Uphams Corner Charter School