The Collegiate Charter School of Lowell is open to enroll all students on a space-available basis. If more students apply than there are available spaces in a grade level, a random lottery is held to determine admission to the school, giving students who wish to attend Collegiate an equal chance of attending in regardless of any need for special education services.
M.G.L. c. 71 §89 (l) states that charter schools shall be open to all students, on a space available basis, and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental or physical disability, age, ancestry, athletic performance, special need, or proficiency in the English language or a foreign language, and academic achievement.
In addition to general supports, students with diverse learning needs are supported with plans that are individualized. Special education services are provided to eligible students in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and M.G.L. c. 71B and ensure that students with disabilities receive the special education services to which they are entitled. The services may consist of special education instruction and related services in the least restrictive environment, or consist of only related services needed to access the general education curriculum.
Students with disabilities, but not eligible for special education services, may have a 504 Accommodation Plan detailing specific accommodations that will be provided in the general education classroom. Based on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”), 504 Plans are designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.
A Positive and Supportive School Environment
At Collegiate, we are dedicated to the health and wellbeing of every student, which is why we offer very high levels of personal care and attention. Our teachers and staff are devoted professionals who take an interest in each student´s strengths, weaknesses, and needs with the goal of helping the student optimally participate and benefit from our rich and engaging learning environment.
As part of this commitment to our students’ wellbeing, we provide an array of services that aim to support the academic and emotional development of our students, as well as support their physical wellbeing.
Learning Support
Learning support is an essential part of the SABIS® Educational System implemented at Collegiate.
Every student’s progress is monitored, and when learning gaps form, students, working together with their teachers and school administrators, can all focus their efforts on filling the gaps through additional support channels at the school.
The support is offered through:
- Teacher-led Study Groups: Study groups led by a teacher that meet to review important concepts taught in class.
- Assigning Prefects & Group Leaders: Teachers may assign students important roles in the classroom that require them to be more responsible, attentive, and confident.
Support is also offered through the Academic Department of the SABIS Student Life Organization® (SLO®) at Collegiate, which provides:
- Peer Tutoring: student-to-student tutoring sessions
- Power Study Sessions: specialized groups that meet up to study for upcoming assessments together
- Academic Competitions: academic focused games that can make learning engaging and fun
- On-Demand Tutoring Videos: a set of teaching videos, narrated by students and vetted by SABIS®, explaining a variety of academic concepts
English Language Learners
Collegiate Charter School of Lowell (Collegiate) is committed to offering a high quality education to each and every student in the diverse student body. For this reason, Collegiate provides instructional programs and services to assist students as they learn English in tandem with acquiring content knowledge in all subject areas.
Upon enrollment at Collegiate, a home language survey is completed by parents/guardians as part of the registration process. Students, whose survey results indicate their first language is not English, are assessed by the school to determine if they qualify for EL services and at what level.
Collegiate’s English Learner (EL) program is thoughtfully designed to support students whose first language is not English and offers a variety of EL placement options at the elementary, middle, and high school levels to serve the needs of the English learning students based on assessment results.
EL students at Collegiate receive Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) from their content teachers as well as direct instruction in small group sessions taught by EL teachers. The two components of the English Learner program provide a comprehensive educational experience for English Learners.
Collegiate’s goal is to develop English language proficiency and achieve mastery of state content standards to prepare students for high school graduation and acceptance into the college or university of their choice.
