The school’s charter was renewed in 2007, 2013 and 2018 with no conditions. The school is located in the Greendale neighborhood of Worcester, offering all students a classical liberal arts education. New students may enroll in Kindergarten through Grade 5 if seats are available. Preference is given to siblings of currently enrolled students and students residing in the towns designated in the charter: Auburn, Holden, Leicester, Millbury, Oxford, Shrewsbury, Sutton, West Boylston and Worcester.
We consider parents to be the primary educators of their children and encourage them to play an active role in the school community. The faculty is trained in developing positive relationships and communications with parents. In order to foster positive parental relationships we host information sessions and encourage participation through parent groups, classroom volunteers and school activities. Close parent communication ensures progress toward academic and behavioral standards.
As part of the school mission, parents must share and engage their children in the importance of character education. Student behavior is managed through positive reinforcement specifically utilizing aspects of the Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) System and Responsive Classroom. Students and faculty are strongly encouraged to incorporate problem solving and social skills into community. Community outreach has become an increasingly important component of our charter education program. All students K-12 are required to complete community service projects that support the school’s character virtues.
The Code of Conduct is designed to guide the efforts of teachers and staff in creating a safe, orderly environment and to reinforce the primary mission of the school: rigorous academic learning. The Code of Conduct and accompanying parent compact clearly state school-wide rules governing student behavior as well as the consequences for breaking the rules. In effect, it is a contract among parents, students, and staff created to foster the best positive learning environment.
Instruction is created using the backwards design for curriculum that is aligned to the Common Core Standards. The International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme is offered in Grades 11 and 12. Academic rigor formulated from the IB program starts in the lower grades to make all students ready for the rigor of our high school. Instructional practices are evaluated formally and informally by the principal and assistant principal throughout the school year. All teacher observations are based on the following model: Safety, Objective, Teaching, Engagement and Learning.