Salem Academy Charter Amendment

Enrollment May Grow to 480 Students
SACS defined a “Proven Provider”

Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester declared Salem Academy Charter School a “Proven Provider” at last Monday night’s special meeting of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. The designation opened the door for the Board to approve the charter school’s request for a charter amendment raising its enrollment cap from 372 to 480 students in grades six through twelve.

In its proposal, the school requested the amendment “to accommodate the increasing demand for spaces in the school and to fulfill the school’s mission to serve the diverse population of Salem.” The school expects one-third of Salem’s current 5th graders in its enrollment lottery next week for the 2015-2016 school year. Sean O’Neil, Executive Director, said admission is by lottery only without regard to academic achievement, special needs, language proficiency, or any other factors that may put students’ potential for success at risk. Representative Paul Tucker will draw the names.

Proven Provider designation takes into account creditable evidence of success in Academic Program, Organizational Viability, and Faithfulness to Charter, the three major areas of charter school performance criteria. It also considers proficiency levels and growth measures on standardized tests over no less than three years, and it takes into account attendance, retention, and attrition data. A “proven provider” is eligible to enroll up to 18% of a district’s students rather than the normal 9% cap.

The Charter School intends to phase in its increased enrollment over the next three to five years. “Our vision is for a middle school of 216 students and a high school of 264.” O’Neil said. “The challenge is to balance enrollment, staffing, program, facilities, and budget in a targeted effort to serve the needs of a diverse population and maintain focus on a clearly defined curriculum, good teaching, and a culture that supports learning.”

Now in its 11th year, Salem Academy Charter School has become an established element in Salem’s educational community. With a $364,400 federal grant, the school is engaged this year with the Salem Public Schools in a dissemination project to share best practices in standards based curriculum and assessment. “We have the opportunity through this project to work together as colleagues to ensure a future of high performing schools throughout the City of Salem.” O’Neil said. “We look forward to a partnership with the Salem Public Schools characterized by a collaborative effort to ensure that every Salem family has the opportunity to choose the school that is the best fit for their children.”