The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Charter Schools - Charters Renewed for Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School, Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers, Foxborough Regional Charter School, and Rising Tide Charter Public School
At its October 2011 meeting, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) voted to authorize the Commissioner to act on its behalf in "(a) granting charter renewals that do not involve probation; and (b) approving charter amendments that do not involve changes in grade span, maximum enrollment, or districts served; provided that the Commissioner shall report to the Board on all charter renewals and charter amendments 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 January 14, 2013, I notified the Board that I intended to approve the renewal of the charters of four schools: Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School, Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers, Foxborough Regional Charter School, and Rising Tide Charter Public School. At that time, I gave the Board the opportunity to request that any of these four proposed charter renewals be brought to the full Board for review and vote at the January 29th meeting. No Board member requested that any charter renewal be brought to the full Board for review. I am now notifying the Board that I have approved these four charter renewals.
Summary information regarding these five schools is provided below. Each charter is renewed for the period of July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2018. The charter of each school is renewed for the maximum enrollment, grades served, and district(s) served, as described below, and shall be operated 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 may from time to time establish, all of which shall be deemed conditions of the charter.
Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School
Mission Statement: "The Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School (BART) prepares students for college by promoting mastery of academic skills and content with a strong foundation in arts and technology. The school provides middle and high school students in Berkshire County with an educational community that regards everyone, including teachers and parents, as lifelong learners."
Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School (BART)
| Type of Charter | Commonwealth | Location | Adams |
| Regional/Non-Regional | Regional | Districts in Region | Adams-Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, Hancock, Lanesborough, Mt. Greylock, North Adams, Savoy, Williamstown |
| Maximum Enrollment | 308 | Chartered Grade Span | 6-12 |
Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers
Mission Statement: "Edward M. Kennedy for Health Careers is a college preparatory high school for Boston students exploring careers in health and health-related professions. The Academy provides a supportive learning environment that promotes respect and embraces diversity. Students will attain the life skills needed to become productive and positive members of society."
Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers (EMKAHC)
| Type of Charter | Horace Mann | Location | Boston |
| Regional/Non-Regional | Non-Regional | Districts in Region | NA |
| Maximum Enrollment | 448 | Chartered Grade Span | 9-12 |
Foxborough Regional Charter School
Mission Statement: "The Foxborough Regional Charter School will provide students a challenging academic program to prepare them for college by stressing achievement, discipline, hard work, and accountability. We will continually challenge all of our students, regardless of ability, so that we will lead the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in all statewide standards and assessments.
The Foxborough Regional Charter School will promote positive ethical, moral, and civic values and will prepare students to serve their community as leaders and good citizens. We will present students with projects and issues requiring critical thinking, problem solving, decision making, and real-life applications of their academic studies through our Student Life and Community Service Learning programs which are integral components of the overall educational experience at Foxborough Regional Charter School. The Foxborough Regional Charter School will commit itself to providing a supportive, professional, and challenging environment for its teachers and staff which recognizes the value of professional development, creativity, and initiative. We will constantly seek new ways to allow our teachers and staff to perform to the best of their potential in a collegial atmosphere which recognizes unique talents and the commitment to excel."
Foxborough Regional Charter School (FRCS)
| Type of Charter | Commonwealth | Location | Foxborough |
| Regional/Non-Regional | Regional | Districts in Region | Attleboro, Avon, Brockton, Canton, Easton, Foxborough, Mansfield, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Norton, Norwood, Plainville, Sharon, Stoughton, Walpole, West Bridgewater, Wrentham |
| Maximum Enrollment | 1,200 | Chartered Grade Span | K-12 |
Rising Tide Charter Public School
Mission Statement: "The Rising Tide Charter Public School will provide a strong academic program rooted in the history of Plymouth, Massachusetts. Our students will harvest opportunity from the practice of language, the reasoning of mathematics, the analysis of science, and the reflection of history. We want children to hone skills through rigorous studies, but skills alone do not make a whole education. The Rising Tide Charter Public School will also cultivate within its students a sense of belonging to our community, a tie with those who have come before them, and a seed of continuity between the Plymouth of today and the Plymouth of tomorrow. Our mission is to develop high-achieving students of good character who use problem solving, communication, and interpersonal skills to inspire others and to catalyze educational, economic and political advancement within their communities and the broader nation. The Rising Tide Charter Public School will graduate capable and prepared young adults who have already sown within themselves a sense of place and belonging that will be the bounty of the future, whether they remain among us or venture from our harbor."
Rising Tide Charter Public School (RTCPS)
| Type of Charter | Commonwealth | Location | Plymouth |
| Regional/Non-Regional | Non-Regional | Districts in Region | NA |
| Maximum Enrollment | 700 | Chartered Grade Span | 5 - 12 |
If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Cliff Chuang, Associate Commissioner (781-338-3222); Jeff Wulfson, Deputy Commissioner (781-338-6500); or me.