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Boston, MA – September 29, 2025 – Massachusetts Charter Public School Association (MCPSA) Executive Director Tim Nicolette issued the following statement today in response to the release of statewide MCAS scores by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
“Spring 2025 MCAS data, released today, show that many charter public schools have made notable progress toward reversing the negative impact of disrupted learning as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of the 13 school districts that have erased learning deficits in English and math compared to 2019 scores, 5 are charter public schools: Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School (Cambridge), Excel Academy Charter School (East Boston), Libertas Academy Charter School (Springfield), Pioneer Charter School of Science (Everett-Saugus) and Sizer School: A North Central Charter Essential School (Fitchburg). All five of these schools enroll a high population of students of color and low-income students.
Seven of our schools were named “Schools of Recognition” by the state: Excel Academy (East Boston), Edward Brooke Charter (Boston-Chelsea), Community Charter School of Cambridge, Marblehead Charter, Rising Tide (Plymouth), Salem Academy, and Pioneer Charter School of Science (Everett-Saugus).
We must also recognize that the path to recovery is still a long one, and will require continued intensive efforts to accelerate academic growth, address the social-emotional needs of our students, and increase school attendance rates.
Charter public schools across the Commonwealth are utilizing their flexibilities and autonomies to support continued academic growth among all students. Strategies include, but are not limited to, extended learning time for math and ELA, with a focus on literacy across the curriculum; targeted interventions and expanded learning time after school; authentic project-based and play-based learning; frequent assessments and intentional use of data to inform interventions and enrichment; expanded professional development and coaching for educators; deep engagement of families as partners in children’s education; and enhanced programming for students with special needs and English Language Learners.
Massachusetts charter public schools remain fiercely committed to ensuring each and every student has the high quality academic experiences needed to fulfill their potential.
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The Massachusetts Charter Public School Association (MCPSA) is a 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.
Contact: Dominic Slowey: 781-710-0014; [email protected]
