Massachusetts Charter Schools

2018 Applications for Renewals of Public School Charters: Solicitation of Superintendent Comment

This winter, the Commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Commissioner) will make recommendations to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) regarding the renewal of the charters for 12 schools. If you wish to request a copy of any of the Applications for Renewal or if you have any questions, please contact charterschools@doe.mass.edu.

Consistent with charter school regulations, the review of the school's application for renewal for another five-year term is guided by evidence regarding the success of the school's academic program, the viability of the school as an organization, and the faithfulness of the school to the terms of its charter. The Commissioner's recommendations will consider each school's performance at the time of the charter renewal as well as the progress it has made during the past four years of operation. The evaluation will include a review of evidence such as the school's academic performance, accountability plan performance, annual reports, financial record, and application for renewal, as well as assessments conducted by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department).

We currently anticipate that these matters will be brought to the Board for consideration no earlier than its December 18, 2018 meeting and no later than its February 12, 2019 meeting. Please check Board Meeting Schedule and Agendas for updates.

The Department invites written comments from Superintendents regarding the possible renewal of a charter school that is located in your district, or that enrolls students from your district. Please see the table below for a list of charter schools that have submitted applications for renewal and the schools' associated districts. Please submit your written comments by November 1, 2018 to: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Charter Schools and School Redesign, 75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148. If you have any questions about the charter school renewal process, please contact us at 781-338-3227, or by e-mail at charterschools@doe.mass.edu.

Thank you for your support in this important process.

Charter School Name	Current District or Region	Chartered Maximum Enrollment	Chartered Grade Span	Grade Span 2018-19
Argosy Collegiate Charter School	Fall River	644	6–12	6–10
Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School	Adams- Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, Hancock, Lanesborough, Mt. Greylock, North Adams, Pittsfield, Savoy, Williamstown	363	6–12	6–12
Boston Preparatory Charter Public School	Boston	700	6–12	6–12
City on a Hill Charter Public School New Bedford	New Bedford	280	9–12	9–12
Conservatory Lab Charter School	Boston	444	PK–8	PK–8
Hampden Charter School of Science East	Springfield, Ludlow, West Springfield, Chicopee	560	6–12	6–12
Hill View Montessori Charter Public School	Haverhill	306	K–8	K–8
KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School	Lynn	1,586	K–12	K–3;5–12
Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School, Springfield	Chicopee, Holyoke, Springfield	250	9–12	9–12
River Valley Charter School	Newburyport	288	K–8	K–8
Roxbury Preparatory Charter School	Boston	1,800	5–12	5–12
Salem Academy Charter School	Salem	480	6–12	6–12

Last Updated: August 10, 2018