Phoenix Charter Academy Springfield

Mission

The Phoenix Network operates schools that challenge disconnected students with rigorous academics and relentless support so that they can recast themselves as resilient, self-sufficient adults in order to succeed in high school, college, and beyond.

Vision

Phoenix Charter Academy was named after the mythological bird, the Phoenix, a bird of great strength and self healing power. The Phoenix has the ability to rise from the ashes and start a new life over and over again. Like the Phoenix, many of our young students have experienced life’s toughest barriers and yet, still have the innate ability and strength to re-evaluate their lives and create a new plan for success. Talented students who have not succeeded in former high schools for a number of different reasons, have the support, resources and training at Phoenix needed to be successful academically in high school and college and become economically secure in their future. 

History

Phoenix Charter Academy Chelsea opened its doors in 2006 to 75 students. It has served as the model for other Phoenix schools. Phoenix Academy Lawrence, a public high school commissioned by Lawrence Public Schools under Jeff Riley’s turn-around plan for the district school system opened in 2012 and graduated its first class of scholars last spring. 

After years of community building, the Phoenix Network is excited to have opened our third school in Springfield, Massachusetts on September 8th, 2014. Phoenix Springfield is currently serving 200 students from Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee, and will be graduating it's first class this June!

Impact

The Phoenix model features a longer school day and year, strict attendance and conduct standards, small classes, targeted academic remediation, a student support center, and an on-site Little Scholars Center, for parenting students. Unlike most "alternative" schools that place primary focus on student support often at the expense of rigorous academics, Phoenix schools aim to get all students to reach proficiency on the MCAS, graduate from high school, and enroll and be successful in college. The Phoenix model breaks the mold, and our results reflect this.  Phoenix Chelsea students have historically outperformed most sending public school districts on the MCAS assessments and of our 161 graduates (142 Chelsea, 15 Lawrence), 100% have been accepted to college. Of those eligible for financial aid, 80% have enrolled in college, an impressive achievement compared to 62% of students nationally and 45% of low-income students. 

As a new charter school, we have a per pupil gap of $3,000 between the cost of educating our scholars and the public funding provided by the state. Help decrease the deficit and let our inspiring scholars prove it's possible for all youth to achieve high school and college success!