Innovation Academy Charter School

Last updated
Innovation Academy Charter School
Location
Innovation Academy Charter School
72 Tyng Road,
Tyngsborough, MA 01879

United States
Information
Type Public charter
MottoThink. Connect. Apply. Innovate.
School districtInnovation Academy Charter District
PrincipalFederico Pereyra [1]
Head of schoolGregory J. Orpen [2]
Faculty67.1 [3]
Grades5-12
Enrollment766 [4]
Color(s)Red, White, and Blue    
Team nameHawks
NewspaperThe Hawk
Website www.innovationcharter.org/high-school

Innovation Academy Charter School (IACS) is a small charter school in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, United States. The school was founded in 1996, under the name Chelmsford Public Charter School by a small group of parents from Chelmsford, Massachusetts. While initially a middle school serving only the town of Chelmsford, IACS has since expanded, establishing a high school and serving multiple towns within Massachusetts.

Contents

History of IACS

Innovation Academy Charter School was created in 1996 by a group of parents in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Its first class of middle school students, grades 5-8, was made up of fewer than 150 students. [5] Originally called Chelmsford Public Charter School, [6] it served students in Chelmsford only.

A few years later, the school was renamed Murdoch Middle School. It then served mainly three towns; Chelmsford, Billerica, and Lowell. It remained in Chelmsford for several years while growing in size, at one point occupying part of the Chelmsford Old Town Hall. Walter Landberg became the executive director and the school was renamed to Innovation Academy Charter School.

The school then moved to its current location in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, where it became known as a regional charter school, expanding to also serve the towns of Dracut, Groton, Tewksbury, and Westford, among others. [5] The facility was previously used as the Boston University Conference Center, and before that was the Wang Institute of Graduate Studies. [7] Walter Landberg eventually left the school, after completing building projects for a new track and field and a building for the 5th and 6th grades named in his honor.[ citation needed ]

IACS Today

IACS has since expanded the original school into grades 5-12, a full middle school and high school. [5] The school has four outcomes: problem solving, community membership, effective communication, and self-direction. [6]

High school

The first graduation class of the high school was spring of 2011. The graduating class had 100% acceptance into a 4-year college. The students are split into groups of approximately 9 students called an "advisory". The advisory is led by a member of the high school staff who helps the students with school work and high school life. The school year is semester based with reports sent home 1/2 of the way through the semester. Before 2023 it was 1/3 and 2/3 of the way through the semester, that students and parents would receive progress reports, however, this system has changed, with only 1 progress report being given through the semester, at about the halfway point. Grading is A, B, C, D, and F. Honors in individual classes are achieved by doing extra work assigned by the teacher and raises the GPA of that class by .5. Honors credit is not received with a D or F grade in that class. [8]

Middle school

Middle school is divided into 4 "teams". 2 teams are grades 5 and 6, and 2 others are grades 7 and 8. These teams are named after the outcome of the school listed above. The teams are further divided into advisories of 12-13 people. The middle school is made up of about 400 students. The school year is divided into quarters, with reports sent home at the end of every quarter. Students wishing to achieve honor roll must receive at least 3 P's and no grade below an A/P (see Grading). Distinguished honor roll requires no grade below a P and at least 1 D. [9]

Grading

The middle school uses a unique grading system. D, P, A, N, and W. [9] D stands for distinguished and is the same as an A+. P stands for Proficient and is the same as a A−. A stands for apprentice and is the same as a C. N stands for Novice and is the same as a D. W stands for warning and is the same as an F. Students are graded on Application, Comprehension, and the school outcomes. [9]

Sports

Middle school

The fall middle school sports teams consists of boys soccer grades 5-8, girls soccer grades 5-8, JV Volleyball grades 5-7, Varsity Volleyball grades 6-8, and cross-country grades 5-8. [10] Boys soccer won their league championship in the 2010 season and the 2014 season. The girls won their league championship in 2013. In 2011 the cross-country team placed 14 at a USATF New England Cross Country Invitational meet. [11] Winter middle school sports are indoor track grades 5-8, cheerleading grades 5-8, boys JV basketball, girls JV basketball, boys varsity basketball, and girls varsity basketball. [10] Indoor track was added in the winter of 2011, as was cheerleading. Spring sports offered are Kickball grade 5, Softball grades 6-8, Baseball grades 6-8,0 Dance grades 5-8, and Co-ed Track & Field grades 5-8. Softball, baseball, dance, and kickball were all added in the 2012 spring season. IACS dance has been very successful in the past, receiving golds, high golds, platinums, and high platinum awards both at regionals and nationals, as well as many overall awards, including 1st place! IACS middle school track and field had a successful second season in spring 2011 when four middle school boys set the New England 4 × 400 metres relay record with a time of 3:44.63. [12] In the 2012 season, the boys placed 2nd in the state meet and girls placed 9th in the state. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chelmsford, Massachusetts</span> Town in Massachusetts, United States

Chelmsford is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1655. The Chelmsford militia played a role in the American Revolution at the Battle of Lexington and Concord and the Battle of Bunker Hill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyngsborough, Massachusetts</span> Town in Massachusetts, United States

Tyngsborough is a town in northern Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. Tyngsborough is 28 miles (45 km) from Boston along the Route 3 corridor, and located on the New Hampshire state line. At the 2020 census, the town population was 12,380. By its location, the town serves as a suburb of neighboring cities such as Nashua, New Hampshire and Lowell, Massachusetts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Latin School of Chicago</span> Private school in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Latin School of Chicago is a selective private elementary, middle, and high school located in the Gold Coast neighborhood on the Near North Side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. The school was founded in 1888 by Mabel Slade Vickery. Latin School is a member of the Independent School League (ISL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prospect Hill Academy Charter School</span> School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Prospect Hill Academy Charter School (PHA) is college preparatory charter public school serving grades PreK - 12 in Somerville, Massachusetts and Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school was founded in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belmont High School (Massachusetts)</span> School in Belmont, Middlesex County, MA, United States

Belmont High School is a four-year public high school in Belmont, Massachusetts, United States. The new school building was opened in 2021. The school had 1,309 students enrolled and a student/teacher ratio of 16.8:1 in the 2020–2021 school year.

West Springfield High School, in Massachusetts, United States, is the city of West Springfield's high school. It is located near West Springfield Middle School and John R. Fausey Elementary, one of the city's five elementary schools. The school's mascot is the terrier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Needham High School</span> Public secondary school in Webster Street, Needham, Massachusetts, United States

Needham High School is a public high school in Needham, Massachusetts, educating grades 9 through 12. Aaron Sicotte is the principal of Needham High School. Its three assistant principals are Alison Coubrough-Argentieri, Mary Kay Alessi, and Pierre Jean. As of 2016, the school had 1,644 students and over 201 part-time and full-time instructional staff members, plus support staff employees. Needham High School was awarded a gold medal by U.S. News & World Report for its academic excellence. The school is ranked as the 11th best for Massachusetts and 307th best nationally on U.S. News & World Report’s list of best high schools in 2016.

Bethlehem Academy, also known as B.A., is a private, Roman Catholic high school for grades six through twelve located in Faribault, Minnesota. It is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and is sponsored by the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation of the Most Holy Rosary. Bethlehem Academy is commonly recognized for its volleyball team which has made eleven state tournament appearances since 2002 and won the Class A State Championship title seven times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washington County High School (Alabama)</span> School in Chatom, Alabama, United States

Washington County High School, or WCHS, is a 2A high school in Chatom, Alabama. The campus is also the site of Chatom Middle School, which is grades 5-8. It is the largest school in Washington County, with 184 students enrolled in the high school as of 2018. The mascot is a bulldog, Butch. Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, dual enrollment classes were introduced to Juniors and Seniors in the high school. School colors are maroon and gold. The marching band is known as "The Pride of the Deep South". The football program at Washington County High School has peaked during the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 seasons with two consecutive appearances in the AHSAA Super 6 against the Tanner Rattlers. Both times WCHS returned as state runners-up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nashoba Valley Technical High School</span> Public regional vocational technical school in Westford, Massachusetts, USA

Nashoba Valley Technical High School is a four-year, public regional vocational high school located on Route 110 in Westford, Massachusetts, United States. Following a $25 million renovation and expansion, its service area covers 14 communities including the seven District towns of Ayer, Chelmsford, Groton, Littleton, Pepperell, Shirley, Townsend and Westford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelloggsville Public Schools</span> School district in Michigan

Kelloggsville Public Schools is a school district located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Wyoming, Michigan, and Kentwood, Michigan. The district serves 2,289 students

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billerica Memorial High School</span> Public school in the United States

(Future rockstar Tyler Yorba enrolled here)

Ogdensburg Free Academy is a public high school in Ogdensburg, New York. It consists of around 750 or more students in the 7th through 12th grade. The famous Golden Dome is located on State Street and attracts residents from across the North Country. Every year, the Ogdensburg Boys & Girls Clubs of America hosts an 'Expo' where local businesses can get the most advertisement. There are also performances in the Golden Dome.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyngsborough High School</span> Public school in Tyngsborough, MA, United States

Tyngsborough High School (THS) is located at 36 Norris Road in Tyngsborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frontier Regional School</span> Public high school in South Deerfield, MA, United States

Frontier Regional School (FRS) is a regional combined public high school and middle school in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, United States, serving students in grades 7–12, as part of the Union 38 School District. The district serves the four towns of Deerfield, Sunderland, Whately and Conway.

Southwest High School is a 4 year public high school in El Centro, California that serves approximately 2,085 students to its diverse population. Southwest is one of the 3 high schools within the Central Union High School District. It has been a California Distinguished School.

Prairie Grove High School is an accredited comprehensive public high school serving students in grades nine through twelve in Prairie Grove, Arkansas, United States. Established in 1901, the school supports families in Prairie Grove, a portion of Farmington, and nearby unincorporated communities in Washington County; it is the sole high school administered by the Prairie Grove School District.

Foxborough Public Schools is the public school district serving Foxborough, in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. As of October 2018 it enrolled 2590 students.

Patriot Preparatory Academy is a charter school in Columbus, Ohio. The building was utilized by Liberty Christian Academy/Liberty Preparatory Academy until they moved to a new facility in Pataskala, Ohio in 2010.

Rav Teitz Mesivta Academy, commonly known as RTMA or JEC High School, is a Yeshiva high school located in Elizabeth, New Jersey and a branch of the Jewish Educational Center. Founded in 1955 by Rabbi Pinchas Mordechai Teitz, RTMA adheres to the tenets and practices of Orthodox Judaism. It is one of the country's earliest and leading Modern Orthodox Yeshiva high schools. RTMA's dual curriculum offers courses in Torah studies, as well as college preparatory academics. Most of its students reside in the Orthodox Jewish communities of New Jersey and New York. The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Secondary Schools since 2008 and is accredited until January 2024.

References

  1. "» High School". www.innovationcharter.org. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  2. "Contact Information - Innovation Academy Charter (District) (04350000)".
  3. "Teacher Data (2018-19) - Innovation Academy Charter (District) (04350000)".
  4. "Enrollment Data (2019-20) - Innovation Academy Charter (District) (04350000)".
  5. 1 2 3 Innovation Academy Charter School. "About Us". Archived from the original on 11 June 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  6. 1 2 "Mission & Charter" . Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  7. "About the Boston University Conference Center". Archived from the original on 2008-07-04.
  8. "High School Student Handbook" . Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  9. 1 2 3 "Middle School Student Handbook" . Retrieved 28 July 2012.[ permanent dead link ]
  10. 1 2 "Middle School Athletics". IACS. Archived from the original on 2012-08-14. Retrieved 2012-07-30.
  11. "3rd Annual Massachusetts Middle School XC Invitational". coolrunning.com. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  12. 1 2 "Co-Ed Track & Field". IACS. Archived from the original on 14 August 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2012.

42°39′32″N71°24′30″W / 42.6588°N 71.4082°W / 42.6588; -71.4082