Salem Academy Charter School
Salem Academy Charter School opened with 88 sixth and seventh graders in 2004, after much debate state and city wide about the role of charter schools, and how they fit in with the already existing Public Schools. Charter schools in Massachusetts are publicly funded but privately run. Charter school proponents argue that the schools foster ingenuity, offer parents more choices and increase competition among public schools. Opponents say that the charter schools drain money from existing schools and how the state calculates the pay per pupil expenditure has been called "unfair" by some.
When it opened in 2004, it was only the third charter school in the region, along with Marblehead and Newburyport.
The Salem Academy has a longer school day and school year and has multi-age classes. By 2008 they expect to expand to sixth to 12th grades, eventually growing to 300 students. The school is located in the Shetland Office Park. The school has a 195-day school year as opposed to 180, and runs from 8:30 to 4:00 p.m. Homework centers and tutoring go until 5:30 p.m. Community service is a tenet.
See Also
Vertical File in Salem Collection - Salem Academy Charter School
Salem Academy Charter School School website
"Emotions high at hearing; those for and against charter school in Salem give state an earful" Salem News, Jan. 23, 2003, p.1
"Parents target mayor on anti-charter school bill" Salem News, June 12, 2004, p. 1
"Charter school board OKs bylaws, debates roles" Salem News, June 4, 2003, p. A2
"Charter school getting ready for fall" Boston Sunday Globe, Jan. 18, 2004, p. 1 Globe North
"Charter school will open in fall" Salem News, July 21, 2004, p. A1
"Salem Academy students get down to business" Salem News, Sept. 2, 2004,p. A2
"Charter ready to add grade 12; Salem Academy Charter School enters its fifth year" Salem News, July 28, 2008, p.1
"Salem Academy's charter renewed" Salem News, Feb. 25, 2009, p. 2
