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Innovation Academy Charter School

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History of IACS

Innovation Academy Charter School is a small school in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts. First created in 1996 by a group of parents in Chelmsford, its first class of middle school, grades 5-8, was made up of 150 students.[1] Parents of these students wanted a school that would challenge their children while keeping the excitement of learning. Originally called Chelmsford Public Charter School[2] it served students in Chelmsford, Massachusetts only. A few years later the school was renamed to Murdoch Middle School. It then served 3 main towns; Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Billerica, Massachusetts, and Lowell, Massachusetts. It remained in Chelmsford, Massachusetts for several years. The school became very popular and the waiting list got larger and larger. Walter Landberg became the executive director and the school was renamed to Innovation Academy Charter Public School. IACS then moved to Tyngsborough, Massachusetts where it became known as a regional charter school, serving the towns of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Lowell, Massachusetts, Billerica, Massachusetts, Dracut, Massachusetts, Groton, Massachusetts, Tewksbury, Massachusetts, Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, and Westford, Massachusetts.[1]

IACS Today

IACS has since expanded the original school into grades 5-12, a full middle school and high school.[1] The school has 4 outcomes, problem solving, community membership, effective communication, and self-direction.[2]

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 lead 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 1/3 and 2/3 of the way through the semester. 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.[3]

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 "home bases", similar to home room in other schools. 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.[4]

Grading

The middle school uses a unique grading system. D, P, A, N, and W.[4] D stands for distinguished and is the same as an A+. P stands for Proficient and is the same as a B. 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 out comes.[4]

Sports

Middle School

The fall middle school sports teams consists of boys soccer grades 6-8, girls soccer grades 6-8, and cross-country grades 5-8.[5] Boys soccer won their league championship in the 2010 season. In 2011 the cross-country team placed 14 at a USATF New England Cross Country Invitational meet.[6] 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.[5] 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 middle school track and field had a successful second season in spring 2011 when four middle schools boys set the New England 4 × 400 metres relay record with a time of 3:44.63.[7] In the 2012 season, the boys placed 2nd in the state meet and girls placed 9th in the state.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c Innovation Academy Charter School. "About Us". Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Mission & Charter". Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  3. ^ "High School Student Handbook". Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  4. ^ a b c "Middle School Student Handbook". Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Middle School Athletics". IACS.
  6. ^ "3rd Annual Massachusetts Middle School XC Invitational". coolrunning.com. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  7. ^ a b "Co-Ed Track & Field". IACS. Retrieved 29 July 2012.

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