Commissioner of Education to Renew McAuliffe School Charter

Submitted by Christa McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School.

On January 11, 2012 the Commissioner of Education, Mitchell Chester, announced to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) his intent to renew the charter of the Christa McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School through 2017. The MetroWest middle school is being renewed as a result of the school demonstrating success in academic achievement, implementing an innovative Expeditionary Learning program, financial stability, and strong school leadership. 

Charter schools, unlike other public schools, have increased accountability in exchange for increased autonomy and so must be renewed by the state every five years. The school submitted an application for renewal to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in July 2011 and hosted a 3-day inspection visit in October 2011. Site visitors interviewed school leaders, the board of trustees, teachers, parents, and students, observed numerous classes, and examined school documents and submitted a report to the DESE summarizing the state of the school.  

Steven Cagnetta, Chairman of McAuliffe's Board of Trustees, and Executive Director, Kristin Harrison, are thrilled to receive news of the school's renewal. Harrison shares, "Over the last five years, we have worked hard to establish McAuliffe as an outstanding learning environment for middle school students and are very pleased that Commissioner Chester and other state leaders are validating our success with an intent to renew the charter for another five years. We have big plans for the next five years including expanding the size of the school, possibly adding a fifth grade, and acquiring a facility of our own. We look forward to working with community leaders to ensure that MetroWest becomes known as the hub of innovative education in Massachusetts."