Dear HCSS STEM Based Elementary School supporters,

Thank you so much for your contribution, thoughtful comments, and dedication to preparing our students for a better future. We believe your inspiring and encouraging words left a valuable remark in this application process and made the entire faculty and staff at HCSS East and HCSS West feel appreciated.
As an HCSS family, we visioned the positive impacts of opening a STEM-based elementary school that would allow younger students to access high-quality college-prep education starting in kindergarten. We believe students would be better prepared for college and their lives, and they will grow into productive, connected, and responsible citizens.

Unfortunately, our amendment request has not been accepted at this time. One of the reasons stated in the letter we received was the current Charter School Growth Cap. Current state law allows no more than 9 percent of a district’s net school spending to go to charters, and the legislation approved in 2010 doubled that to 18 percent in the lowest-performing 10 percent of all school districts. One of our major districts, Springfield, is now close to its Cap on Charter School Growth. The second reason is our current charter approval to open a second school in 2017. DESE would like us to complete the first renewal cycle for HCSS West before applying for another school.
We will revisit our elementary school project in the near future.

We will continue to provide a rigorous college-prep education in a safe and supportive environment to all students and help them reach their potential. We will continue to be one of the best college prep schools in Massachusett and prepare the best education environment possible for our current students.

Thank you for your continued support,

Tarkan Topcuoglu
Superintendent/CEO