NEXT STOP: MIDDLE SCHOOL - Boston Public Schools

UP Academy Charter School of Boston
215 Dorchester Street, South Boston, MA 02127
Amanda Gardner, Principal
Phone: 617-635-8819
Fax: 617-635-8820
Website: www.upacademyboston.org
School Hours: Mon-Thu 7:20-3:20, Fri 7:20-1:30
Please check the
box that applies:
___ K-8
___ K-12
X Middle School
___ MS-HS
___ Other
UP Academy is a high-performing public, tuition-free, college preparatory middle school (grades 6-8). Our
school aims to ensure all students acquire the knowledge, skills, and strength of character necessary to
succeed on the path to college and to achieve their full potential. Our school program is modeled on the
highest-performing urban public schools in the United States.
Our team believes that any student can rapidly approach grade-level proficiency given the right support
system. At UP Academy, we offer:
- Relentlessly high, consistent academic and behavioral expectations. UP Academy scholars know
exactly what is expected of them in and out of the classroom. These school-wide systems have
helped us create a supportive and safe environment where staff can work relentlessly to help our
students reach their full potential.
- Open lines of communication between school and family. Families can expect a weekly call from
their child’s advisor to discuss student performance and progress. All students bring home a weekly
report detailing grades, homework completion, and behaviors.
- Rigorous, standards-based curriculum, instruction, and assessments. Our educational program is
designed to help students master core basic content and skills that will prepare them for success at a
college preparatory high school program.
- A wide-reaching network of supports for all students, including Special Education students and English
Language Learners. Our school employs an extensive network of whole-school and individualized
supports to catch struggling students before they fall behind. When a student is not finding success at
our school, we will seek to identify the underlying skill deficiency and then provide systematic supports
to address the issue.
- An obsession with regularly and effectively using data. We regularly analyze academic assessment
data to understand which concepts students have and have not mastered, using this analysis to build
tutoring plans and to make adjustments to our program. Data detailing student performance on nonacademic
goals also drives individual and school-wide improvements.
- An atmosphere of enthusiasm and joy. Our program is designed to ensure that teaching and learning
become exciting and fun.
Other school features include the following:
Required school uniforms
Transportation guaranteed to all students who live more than 1.5 miles away from the student.
Weekly art, music, and fitness classes
Enrichment program (e.g., athletics, drama) on Fridays for all students
Afterschool homework club for some students
Saturday Math Club option for some students
Football & basketball teams
ISEE and SSAT prep for 8th grade students
Full-time High School Placement Manager
As required by state law, our enrollment will be determined by public lottery. No test scores, grades,
recommendations, or academic history will be taken into consideration for admittance.
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