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Seven new charter public schools opened their doors in Boston recently as a new era of expanded choice and opportunity got underway.
These schools include the creation of the first charter “networks,” in which existing high-performing charters are opening new schools, and the first “in-district” charters, which are charters that operate in partnership with districts and have more autonomy than traditional district schools. Bridge Boston, which is based on the successful Epiphany School in Boston, also opened this month and will eventually serve 335 elementary school children.
After a four-year battle, the state Legislature approved a new education reform law last year that will allow charters to double the number of seats they offer in high-need school districts, providing high quality educational opportunities for thousands of new families. In February, the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved 16 new charters statewide, including 11 in Boston, one in New Bedford, one in Springfield, two in Lawrence, one in Salem.
Seven of the Boston charters opened their doors for the 2011-2012 school year – as did the Alma del Mar charter school in New Bedford.
The seven new Boston charters include:
- Brooke 2 (Part of Edward W. Brooke Charter School network)
- Grades K-8, Enrollment: 475, Opened Aug. 10, 2011
- Excel Academy Chelsea (Part of Excel Academy Charter School network)
- Grades 5-8, Enrollment: 224, Opened Aug. 23, 2011
- MATCH Community Day Charter Public School (A partnership between MATCH and Community Day Charter in Lawrence to focus on English-Language-Learners)
- Grades K1-12, Enrollment: 700, Opened Aug. 29, 2011
- UP Academy Charter School of Boston (in-district charter)
- Grades 6-8, Enrollment: 500, Opened Aug. 29, 2011
- Grove Hall Preparatory (Part of Roxbury Preparatory Charter School network)
- Grades 5-12, Enrollment: 600, Opened Aug. 30, 2011
- Bridge Boston
- Grades K1-8, Enrollment: 335, Opened Sept. 7, 2011
- Boston Green Academy (in-district charter)
- Grades 6-12, Enrollment: 595, Opened Sept. 7, 2011
The other approved schools will open next year.
