What is a Charter School?
Charter Schools are open to residents, free of charge, just like any other public school. The idea for Charter Schools arose out of the Education Reform Act of 1993. At that time there was a large push to improve public education, and in this climate Charter Schools were born. Education reformers reasoned that public funds could be utilized to open smaller public schools where innovative ideas for educating children could be tried and developed.

Charter Schools in Massachusetts have been created by a variety of people. Some have been opened by educators with innovative ideas; some, like Rising Tide, have been opened by community members seeking a choice in the options for public education. Each Charter School has a unique mission, approved by the Department of Education and the State Board of Education.

There are two types of Charter Schools: Horace Mann and Commonwealth. Horace Mann Charter Schools operate under the supervision of the district school board; Commonwealth Public Charter Schools operate independently from local districts under the supervision of a Board of Trustees and report directly to the state.

What is Rising Tide Charter Public School?
Rising Tide Charter Public School is a middle school for 300 students in grades 5-8. Rising Tide is open to residents of Plymouth, Kingston, Carver, Middleborough, Wareham, Duxbury, Plympton, Pembroke, Marshfield, Bourne and Sandwich. Enrollment priority is given to Plymouth residents because the school is located in Plymouth, on Resnik Road in the Industrial Park, across from the Boys & Girls Club of Plymouth. Rising Tide is defined as a Commonwealth Public Charter School.

What is the background of Rising Tide Charter Public School?
Rising Tide first opened in 1998 with 162 students in grades 5-7. The school expanded in September of 1999 to 216 students in grades 5-8. By September of 2004 the school had expanded to 250 students and in September of 2006 the school grew to its full capacity of 300 students in grades 5-8.

Rising Tide’s founders were a group of Plymouth community members who sought to build a small, community-based middle school. They wanted to create a school focused on high academic achievement and project and skill-based learning. The founders felt such a school would provide parents with a choice in a fast-growing region with over-crowded schools. Rising Tide has thrived as students and parents enthusiastically support the school’s small class size, strong and dedicated teaching staff, and individualized attention for all students.

How do I enroll my child at Rising Tide Charter Public School?
School admission is based upon a blind lottery in February or March for the following school year. Parents need to complete an enrollment application form by March 7, 2008 to be included in the lottery for the 2008-09 school year. Spaces available in each grade level are filled according to the order of the lottery drawing; once available spaces are filled, student names will be placed on a waiting list in the order in which they are drawn.

Rising Tide Charter Public School does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, creed, ethnicity, mental or physical disability, ancestry, athletic performance, special need, proficiency in English language or another language, prior academic achievement, religion, sex or sexual orientation.

Is transportation available?
Bus transportation is available to Plymouth residents.

What extra-curricular activities are available?
In the Discover Period we offer academic support, enrichment activities, and community building events. Enrichment activities have included Drama, Student Newspaper, Documentary, Ecology, Visual Arts, Bridge Building and many sports activities. Students also participate in community building events with their advisories and grade levels.

We also offer a Virtual High School program for self-directed 8th grade students. Each year, 8-10 students are able to select from a variety of high school courses for which they receive high school credit.

For the last three years, students have had an opportunity to participate in “As Clear As Mud,” a weekly after-school program that explores regional marine biology.

Are there sports teams at Rising Tide?
We have boys’ and girls’ basketball teams during the winter season that compete against charter schools in the state, and other local schools. Many other sports, such as flag football, softball, soccer, running, ancient games are offered as club activities during the Discover Period.

Is musical instruction available at Rising Tide?
Students can sign up for instrumental lessons with our Band Director. We also have a very successful Band program, and different band groups rehearse together based upon experience. We have several Band concerts each year.

Do all students take Latin?
Yes, students in every grade level take Latin. In 5th and 6th grades, students are introduced to the language and Roman Culture. In 7th and 8th grades, the classes become more rigorous in order to prepare students for Latin 2 if they continue with the language in high school. Learning a language other than English is extremely valuable; Latin also offers a strong foundation for learning in any Romance language. This past year students traveled to Rome during February vacation week to experience a stronger connection with Ancient Rome and the Latin language. Another trip is planned for the 2008-09 school year.

Do students have a lot of homework?
The Rising Tide Charter Public School views homework as essential to the learning process and to high academic achievement. Individual work helps students to build on the skills and knowledge they gain in the classroom, and provides opportunities for students to gain deeper understanding through practice, reflection and synthesis; in addition, homework assists students in developing organizational skills and the ability to follow directions. Homework is an important part of student assessment and is required for high learning standards.

Students should expect to have homework assignments every night in each subject area; all students are expected to regularly complete assignments. Depending upon the grade level, homework should take approximately 45 minutes to two hours each night. Students will have an opportunity to work in an independent Homework Hall twice a week. They will also have an opportunity to get support from teachers or their peers during this time. If homework is consistently taking a student more than the expected amount of time per night to complete, he or she should speak to his or her advisor.

What is an Advisor?
A child’s advisor is the teacher at the school who will most likely know the child the best. Students meet in advisory groups each morning and afternoon, and will occasionally work with the group in grade-level community activities. Within the school, a child’s advisor communicates with other teachers and is made aware of the child’s successes and challenges; the advisor is an advocate for the child. The Advisor is also the primary contact at the school for parents. Parents should contact the child’s advisor with any concerns, and parents meet with the child’s advisor twice a year for Student-Advisor-Parent conferences.

Does Rising Tide provide Special Education services?
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and related regulations provide eligible special education students with access to services in order to make progress in the general education program of the school. Massachusetts has incorporated the IDEA standards within its General Laws.

The Rising Tide Charter Public School provides special education services in accordance with the Massachusetts regulations and federal law. We implement an inclusion program that ensures students the right to a free and appropriate education within the least restrictive environment.

What is the social climate like at Rising Tide?
The Rising Tide Charter Public School community is a close and caring group of students, advisors, teachers, staff, and parents. We value our relationships with each other and strive to develop an atmosphere of trust, respect for differences, support, and understanding. We expect that students will behave responsibly and with consideration for the feelings of other students, teachers, and staff. We are proud that Rising Tide is a safe space in which students can grow and learn.

Do teachers at Rising Tide need to be certified?
Yes, teachers at Rising Tide are required to be Highly Qualified, according to the No Child Left Behind Act, and licensed by the state in the subject area in which they teach.

How is the curriculum different than other public schools?
Teachers plan and implement the curriculum, guided by the Massachusetts State Frameworks and the New Standards. Teachers communicate and demonstrate high expectations for all students, and encourage good study habits and work ethic. Because our class sizes are small, teachers are able to meet the individual needs of all students.

Rising Tide is a small school with innovative educators, and teachers work together to identify learning needs and design learning activities. Research shows us that middle school is the time to build skills for life-long learning, and the school has the flexibility to develop curriculum that addresses the challenges that children face.

Do Rising Tide students perform well on MCAS tests?
Yes. By 8th grade, students at Rising Tide perform well in comparison with 8th graders across the state.
The percentage of Rising Tide’s 8th graders scoring above standard on the Spring 2006 MCAS tests exceeded the state average by 16 percentage points in English Language Arts, 6 percentage points in Mathematics, and 22 percentage points in Science and Technology/Engineering.

However, we are most concerned with engaging students in activities that encourage critical thinking and help them build skills for life-long learning. Many alumni return to tell us that they have been prepared well to succeed in any high school setting.

Is Rising Tide here to stay?
Yes, Rising Tide is going to be around for a long time. The school is entering its 10th year and has received very positive feedback from the state in every site visit. During the Fall 2007, the school will be undergoing the 10th year renewal process. During the 8th year site visit, state charter school officials told the Head of School that Rising Tide should easily be renewed for another 5 years.
Across the country, charter schools have been well received by parents and students and are here to stay. Resistance to charter schools comes primarily from teachers’ unions because most charter school staffs are not unionized. Approximately 75% of citizens polled in Massachusetts support charter schools.

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