Four Schools To Exit Underperforming Status

The state announced that four schools designated as "underperforming," or Level 4, will exit that status after meeting their turnaround goals. Of the more than three dozen schools that the state designated Level 4 in 2010 and 2011, the majority have exited underperforming status.

"Some of the smartest efforts in the Commonwealth can be found in turnaround schools," said Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Mitchell D. Chester. "I'd like to recognize all the educators and families who are providing students with a better future by raising expectations and implementing reforms." 

Exiting Level 4 this fall: Community Day Arlington (pre-K-4) and UP Academy Leonard Middle School (6-8), both in Lawrence; White Street School (K-5) in Springfield and Burncoat Street Preparatory School (K-6) in Worcester. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will immediately begin an exit assurances approval process with these four schools and their districts to ensure that the conditions necessary for sustained improvement remain in place.

 The state's Achievement Gap Act of 2010 created an accountability system that carefully identifies the state's most persistently low-performing schools and helps accelerate student achievement in those schools. That system has already shown results, and it will be used to support the turnaround of Boston's Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, the only newly-identified Level 4 school this year.