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SPRINGFIELD, MA — Secretary of Education Dr. Steve Zrike, Assistant Secretary of Education Tom Moreau, and Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez visited Veritas Prep Charter Public School on Friday to celebrate National Charter Schools Week (May 11th–15th) and recognize the school’s first graduating class of seniors.
The visit, hosted in partnership with the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association, highlighted Veritas Prep’s wall-to-wall early college model, which provides all high school students access to credit-bearing, college-level courses through partnerships with Worcester State University and Springfield Technical Community College.
Veritas Prep opened its high school in 2022 and will graduate its first class of 77 seniors this year. Nearly half of those students are expected to graduate with associate’s degrees in addition to their high school diplomas. Collectively, the senior class is on track to graduate with 3,084 college credits.
“Our first graduating class represents an incredible milestone for Veritas Prep,” said Rachel Romano, Executive Director of Veritas Prep. “These students have worked hard, supported one another, and taken full advantage of the opportunities available to them through our early college program. We are proud of what they have accomplished and excited for what comes next.”
“It was so inspiring to see Veritas Prep students participating in Early College and to learn how the experience is shaping their confidence and plans for the future,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to creating more pathways that prepare students for success after graduation, and Early College is one of the strongest tools we have to do that.”
During the visit, Secretary Zrike and Commissioner Martinez toured Veritas Prep High School, connected with students during their Spanish and Marketing classes, spoke with panels of students and staff, and learned more about the school’s early college program and its impact on student opportunity, college access, and postsecondary readiness.
“It was a pleasure to tour Veritas Prep’s Early College program and talk with students about how Early College is shaping their plans,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “As we work to expand Early College opportunities, it’s especially important to hear from the students they serve.”
Charter public schools are free, public schools that are open to all students. More than 46,000 K-12 students currently attend charter public schools across Massachusetts. Admissions are conducted through blind lotteries, with no entrance exams or criteria. Charters are renewed by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) every 5 years, ensuring high levels of accountability for student performance. Over 21,000 students are currently on waiting lists to attend charter public schools, waiting for a spot to become available at the school that they believe is right for them.
“Veritas Prep is showing what is possible when students are given meaningful access to rigorous academics, college-level coursework, and the support they need to succeed,” said Tim Nicolette, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association. “During National Charter Schools Week, we are proud to celebrate schools like Veritas Prep that are expanding opportunities within the public education landscape. Our charter public schools merge innovation, passion, and high standards of excellence to ensure students can reach their full potential and pursue bright futures ahead.”
Dr. Stephen Mahoney, Principal of Veritas Prep High School, said the visit was a meaningful recognition of the hard work of students, families, educators, and school partners.
“This graduating class represents not only a milestone for our students, but also the extraordinary commitment of the faculty and staff who helped make our early college program a reality,” said Dr. Mahoney. “From building strong college partnerships to supporting students through rigorous coursework, our team has worked tirelessly to create a high school experience that expands what students believe is possible for their futures.”
About Veritas Prep Charter Public School
Veritas Prep is a public charter school in Springfield, Massachusetts, serving students in grades 5–12 with a mission to prepare scholars to compete, achieve, and succeed in college and beyond. Through rigorous academics, strong student support, and an innovative Early College model offered in partnership with Springfield Technical Community College and Worcester State University, students have the opportunity to earn college credits and an associates degree while still in high school at no cost to families. Rooted in high expectations and meaningful relationships, Veritas Prep empowers students to explore career pathways, build habits of success, and graduate prepared for college, career, and life.
About the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association
The Massachusetts Charter Public School Association (MCPSA) is a non-profit school membership organization that is committed to ensuring that children and families of the Commonwealth have access to high-quality public schools. As the voice of one of the nation’s highest-performing charter public school sectors, MCPSA engages in public policy advocacy, communications, and best practice sharing and training aimed at strengthening educational programming.
