Dorchester Collegiate Academy Charter School

We, the undersigned, support the startup of Dorchester Collegiate Academy Charter School.


What is Dorchester Collegiate Academy Charter School?

A Founding Group comprised of educators, parents, and social-service professionals are in the process of applying for a Commonwealth Charter from the Massachusetts Department of Education in order to open Dorchester Collegiate Academy Charter School (DCACS).

DCACS will be a college preparatory middle and high school charter school located in Dorchester, Massachusetts that will serve grades four through twelve. DCACS will target underperforming Boston students who exhibit the primary indicators that they will eventually drop-outsuch as chronic absenteeism, consistent disciplinary issues, and unsatisfactory academic performanceand provide a high quality and personalized college-preparatory education that will prepare students for high school graduation as well as college success.


Why is Dorchester Collegiate Academy Needed?

The dropout problem in the Boston Public Schools has reached alarming proportions. The September 29 Boston Globe article titled 4-year Diploma Rate Lags in Hub reported that a 2007 study by the Boston school system found that 47\% of Boston students attending non-exam schools fail to graduate within four years. In addition, in 2005-2006 1,900 students dropped out of Boston Public School and the annual dropout rate has increased more than 25\% since 2001-2002.

Dorchester Collegiate Academy Charter School will directly address the dropout problem by enrolling students who are the most at risk of dropping out. Through a supportive and rigorous educational program that will involve parents, community members and organizations, and local colleges, DCACS students will not only graduate from high school but will be prepared to succeed in competitive four year colleges.