Bentley Academy Charter School Received 294 Applications For 275 Available Spots

Photo (Courtesy of City of Salem): Justin Vernon, proposed head of school for Bentley Academy Charter School and Charity Lezama, of the North Shore YMCA, at the Bentley lottery.

Salem Public School’s Bentley Academy Charter School held its first lottery on Sunday, March 15. Charity Lezama of the North Shore YMCA, the afterschool enrichment partner at Bentley, assisted with the ceremonial drawing of names.

Of the 275 available spots in the Kindergarten through 5th grade classes at the Bentley, the school received 294 applications. All grades except for 2nd grade, which has four seats remaining, now have a wait list. Over 90 percent of current K-4 Bentley families submitted applications for the lottery. Any current Bentley student will automatically be placed in the new school.

Depending on their status in the lottery, families will receive either an intent to enroll confirmation form or a waitlist notification form. Families who wish to confirm their enrollment should return the confirmation form by April 3. The Bentley Academy Charter School will continue to accept applications, however, for additions to the waiting lists and to fill the final seats in 2nd Grade. Interested students are encouraged to continue submitting applications, as there may be circumstances, such as a family moving out of town, that could lead to additional open seats.

“The positive response by Salem families, especially our Bentley families, is extremely promising,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll, who chairs the Salem School Committee, in a statement. “Kudos to Principal Vernon and all the staff at Bentley who have worked hard to build a positive environment and improve student outcomes at the school. There’s a lot of enthusiasm about what’s happening at the Bentley these days and the level of interest demonstrated by the lottery results clearly illustrates that.”

• There are 55 seats available in kindergarten, and there was 63 applications received.
• There are 55 seats availble in the 1st grade, and there were 62 applications received.
• There are 50 seats available in the 2nd grade, and there were 46 applications received.
• There are 45 seats available in the 3rd grade, andf there were 50 applications received.
• There are 40 seats available in the 4th grade, and there were 42 applications received.
• There are 30 seats available in the 5th grade, and there were 31 applications received.

“With our first ever lottery now completed, we are encouraged and excited about Salem families’ interest in the Bentley Academy Charter School,” said Justin Vernon, proposed head of school for Bentley Academy Charter School and current principal of Grades 3 through 5.

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