Schools

Melrose on Charter School Shortlist

The Pioneer Charter School of Science (PCSS) in Everett has moved on to the final round of the application process to open two new charter public schools—one of which would serve Melrose.

The Pioneer Charter School of Science (PCSS) in Everett has moved on to the final round of the application process to open two new charter public schools—one of which would serve Melrose and five other communities, according to a press statement.

One proposed charter school, PCSS IV, would serve children from Melrose, Stoneham, Woburn, Medford, Wakefield and Saugus, according to the statement. Meanwhile, PCSS-II would accept students from Saugus, Lynn, Salem, Peabody and Danvers, reads the statement.

The new schools, if approved by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in February, would serve 360 students in grades 7-12 in communities north of Boston, according to the statement.

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“We are very excited to continue the application process to potentially bring the PCSS model to more students," said Barish Icin, Executive Director of PCSS, in the statement. "PCSS has become one of the highest performing public schools not only in the Greater Boston area but in the entire state. We are excited about the prospect of replicating our successful model and providing more families in more communities access to a high quality educational alternative.”

Twenty-two groups submitted proposals for new charter schools programs in Massachusetts, and the Department of Education has asked 12 of those groups to submit full applications, according to an announcement made last week.

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"Although making the final round is an important step in the process, it is not the end," reads the statement. "In February the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will vote to approve or deny the applications. If approved, PCSS-II would open in September 2013; PCSS- IV would open in September 2014."

In an email to Melrose Patch, PCSS spokesperson Katie Fryman said a location for the school to serve Melrose students has yet to be determined and won't be until the school receives state approval.


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