The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

Charter Schools — Report on Hampden Charter School of Science West and UP Academy Charter School of Dorchester (Removal of Conditions on Charters)

To:

Members of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

From:

Jeffrey C. Riley, Commissioner

Date:

January 11, 2019

At its meeting in February 2013, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) authorized the Commissioner to act on its behalf in "(a) granting charter renewals that do not involve probation; (b) approving charter amendments that do not involve changes in grade span, maximum enrollment, or districts served; and (c) removing or continuing conditions imposed on charters of charter schools; provided that the Commissioner shall report to the Board on all charter renewals, charter amendments, and conditions that have been so approved; 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."

On November 30, 2018, I notified the Board that I intended to remove the conditions imposed on the charters of Hampden Charter School of Science West and UP Academy Charter School of Dorchester. Because no Board member requested that these matters be brought to the full Board for review, I am now notifying the Board that I have removed these conditions. I have attached my memorandum to the Board dated November 30, 2018.

This memorandum provides summary information regarding both schools. Hampden Charter School of Science West and UP Academy Charter School of Dorchester, like all other charter schools, shall operate in accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 71, § 89; 603 CMR 1.00; and all other applicable state and federal laws and regulations and such additional conditions as the Commissioner or the Board may establish, all of which shall be deemed conditions of the schools' charters.

Hampden Charter School of Science West
Type of Charter (Commonwealth or Horace Mann)	Commonwealth	Location	West Springfield (as of November 5, 2018)
Regional or Non-Regional	Regional	Districts in Region (if applicable)	Agawam, Holyoke, Westfield, and West Springfield
Year Opened	2018	Year(s) Renewed (if applicable)	N/A
Maximum Enrollment	588	Current Enrollment	209¹
Chartered Grade Span	6–12	Current Grade Span	6–9
Students on Waitlist	92²	Current Age of School	First year of operation
Mission Statement The mission of Hampden Charter School of Science West (HCSS-West) is to provide a college preparatory-focused education to the youth of every race and ethnic group in Agawam, Holyoke, West Springfield, and Westfield in a safe, academically challenging, and caring educational environment. Our promise is to sustain small school size, to provide extended math and science curriculum, individualized attention, college guidance, and university outreach programs, and to encourage student-teacher-parent partnership. Fulfillment of our mission will empower our students with the support necessary to reach their highest intellectual, emotional, social, and physical potentials, building on the inherent promise to aid students' preparation for college.

UP Academy Charter School of Dorchester
Type of Charter (Commonwealth or Horace Mann)	Horace Mann	Location	Boston
Regional or Non-Regional	Non-Regional	Districts in Region (if applicable)	N/A
Year Opened	2013	Year(s) Renewed (if applicable)	2018
Maximum Enrollment	820³	Current Enrollment	725⁴
Chartered Grade Span	PK–8	Current Grade Span	PK–8
Students on Waitlist	552⁵	Current Age of School	6 years
Mission Statement UP Academy Dorchester will ensure that its students acquire the knowledge, skills, and strength of character necessary to succeed on the path to college and to achieve their full potential.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Alison Bagg, Director (781-338-3218); Cliff Chuang, Senior Associate Commissioner, (781-338-3222); or me.

Attachments

Memorandum on the Notification of Intended Actions dated November 30, 2018

Note:

¹ As reported in the Student Information Management System (SIMS) as of October 1, 2018.

² As reported in the Initial Report of Charter School Waitlist as of March 15, 2018.

³ In 2016, UP Academy Charter School of Dorchester was granted a temporary enrollment increase from 750 to 820 for three fiscal years, returning to the originally chartered maximum enrollment of 750 by 2021.

⁴ As reported in the Student Information Management System (SIMS) as of October 1, 2018.

⁵ As reported in the Initial Report of Charter School Waitlist as of March 15, 2018.