About SHCPS

Seven Hills Charter School was founded in 1996 by a group of private citizens interested in providing an alternative mode for public education in the city of Worcester. The project had its roots in the state legislature’s decision in 1993 to allow groups of citizens to establish independent public schools that would be financed through traditional public means, but be free of the constraints of district bureaucracies. Seven Hills Charter School currently enrolls 663 students in grades Kindergarten through eight.

Seven Hills Charter School is a family oriented environment that strongly believes that the school-home partnership is an integral component for the academic success of each child. Family involvement is strongly encouraged and expected. We offer students and families:

• A technology-rich environment that includes networked technology in the homes of every family.
• A longer school day and year that provides more dedicated learning time.
• Instruction that is researched based and centered on programs with proven success.
• A curriculum that is guided by clear and ambitious academic standards.

Seven Hills Charter Public School is required to take the same local, state, and national tests administered by other public schools. In general, student achievement has risen steadily in comparison to state and local standards. These results are reported to the Department of Education by manner of an Annual Report Card and a School Report Card mandated by the No Child Left Behind legislation. To request a copy of any of these reports contact the school at 508-799-7500.

At Seven Hills Charter Public School, each child’s intellectual capacity is respected and nurtured through Reading, Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science. Students are challenged to excel in rigorous but absorbing programs of study featuring:

• explicit instruction in phonics and reading comprehension skills.
• immersion in classics and contemporary fables, folk tales, novels, and poetry.
• math manipulatives that cultivate an intuitive sense of numbers and mathematical processes.
• intentional inquiry into the Earth and its creatures.
• “Intensives” that unite the school around the study of engaging themes.
• Through Physical Education, Visual Arts, Music, and World Language, student’s creative capabilities are enhanced in an environment that prizes each one’s unique strengths and talents through:
• a quest for personal excellence.
• cooperation, teamwork, good sportsmanship, and school spirit.
• courage, perseverance, self discipline, and self confidence.
• the joy of creation and the elation of performance.
• Spanish language and cultural awareness.

Seven Hills Charter School provides their students the foundation for building good character and ethics. Eight core values are stressed throughout the school on a daily basis, they are:

• wisdom
• justice
• courage
• compassion
• hope
• respect
• responsibility
• integrity

Seven Hills Charter School is organized into academies which include three grade levels. The Primary Academy includes kindergarten and grades 1 and 2. The Elementary Academy includes grades 3, 4, and 5. The Junior Academy includes grades 6, 7, and 8.

Students are further divided into Houses. A student generally stays in the same house for all three years of the academy experience, with the same set of core teachers. Multi-age academies allow for individual differences in learning pace and style.

Seven Hills also offers its students an Advisory period that allows for students to have daily contact with adults who know them well.