Two In-District Horace Mann Charter Schools to Open in Boston this Fall

The Boston Public School system will be opening two in-district Horace Mann charter schools this fall after the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted today giving the go ahead for the schools 

“This vote clears the way for nearly 900 BPS students to attend innovative, groundbreaking schools this fall,” said Superintendent Carol Johnson through a press release. “We are proud that the state has endorsed this bold and aggressive step to rapidly improve the choices we offer to Boston’s families.”
 
The two schools, UP Academy and Boston Green Academy, have already received nearly 1,400 enrollment forms from interested students, said Boston Public School officials. Admission will be granted by lottery, which is required by state law.

The two schools would use space from that starts this fall. The UP Academy will open in the Gavin Middle School building, and Boston Green Academy will be in the space of the Odyssey High School at the South Boston Education Complex. BPS officials have said students already attending these schools are guaranteed seats in the charter schools next fall if they submit an enrollment form.

“Our mission is to ensure that all students in Boston have equitable access to high-performing schools, and this is an important step toward delivering on that promise,” said Boston School Committee Chairperson Rev. Gregory G. Groover, Sr. “We have made sure these schools are reaching out to all children, in all neighborhoods in our city, and will serve anyone who comes through their doors.”
 
UP Academy expects to have nearly 500 students in grades six through eight, while Boston Green Academy  expects 340 students in grades nine through 12.

The in-district charter schools will operate as BPS schools and will be funded with the same formula BPS uses to allocate resources to other schools. But the big difference is that Horace Mann charter schools may choose to hire staff from inside and outside BPS, set their own academic program and graduation requirements. The schools may also choose to have extended school days or a longer school year.