Private Schools Special Education Colleges and Universities Adult or Continuing Education
Education Overview
From pre-school through college, each phase of education is addressed in this category. The resources Devens and those in the local community for you and your family members can be researched here. If you have a family member with special needs, the educational resources are listed or linked in this category. The answers to questions on extra curricular activities test scores, national rankings, application processes, and graduation requirements can be found among other education-related information and resources. For more personal assistance contact your Relocation Assistance Program.
PRESCHOOLS:
Preschools are located in the towns surrounding Devens.The cost
is expensive for childcare and preschool programs.Most programs
offer a 2 day, 3 day, or 5 day program. Hours range from 0530/0700
- 1730. Proof of immunizations and health is a must.
Hanscom AFB, 24 miles from Devens has a state of the art child development center for family members who reside on Hanscom AFB.
Army Community Service has a list of approved day care providers, provided and updated monthly by the Massachusetts Office for Children. Providers need to be licensed with the state and subject to unannounced home visits.
Before and after school age care is available at most schools
in the community. The legal age for a child to be left unattended
is 14. Centers are usually accredited by NAEYC. ACS
has School lists and telephone numbers. 978-796-3119
SHIRLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT AT DEVENS:
There is a half-day pre-K
and a full day (5 hour) Kindergarten and grade one program, with
before and after school care in the former Fort Devens Child
Development Center. The school department of the neighboring
town of Shirley is offering MA this program. Any Kindergarten
or grade one student residing in MA can enroll in this program
under the Massachusetts School Choice program. There is no charge
for the school portion of the program. The starting time for
the before school care program is 0700, and the after school
program ends at 1800 from August to June. Information
can be obtained by calling the Shirley, MA school department
at (978) 425-2630. Registration can be accomplished at the Main
Office, Laura White School, Lancaster Street, Shirley, and MA.
For more information contact: http://profiles.doe.mass.edu
North Central Massachusetts has (59) Public Schools and twelve (12) private schools which provide parents and students with a broad range of educational alternatives. The Massachusetts "School Choice" program is available, allowing students to attend a public school in the town of their choice, rather than one in their town of residence, paid for by their town of residence. Anyone interested in school choice should contact the Office of the Superintendent of Schools in the town where the public school of their choice is located, as soon as possible after moving into the area. Not all towns accept "School Choice" students from other towns. Public schools do not charge for riding to school on a bus. Transportation costs at private schools will vary. Interested parents should call the private school of choice to inquire about attendance, transportation costs, and other questions.
GRADE PROMOTION:
Promotion from grade to grade is determined
by credits earned through successful completion courses. The
number of credit listed below must be earned prior to the beginning
of the school year for a student to be promoted to the next grade
level. Nearly all high schools require their students to take
and pass four years of English classes. Check with the particular
high school where your child will attend for history, mathematics,
science and foreign language requirements.
GRADING SYSTEMS:
Honor Roll - all A's
Principal's list - all A's
First Honors - A's and B's
A+ = 97-100, A = 93-97, A- = 90-92, B+ = 87-89, B = 83-86, B- = 80-82, C+ = 77-79, C = 73-76, C- = 70-72, D+ = 67-69, D = 63-66, D- = 60-62, F = 59 and under.
Public and DODDS Schools
MCAS:
MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment
System test)The participation of all students in MCAS is crucial
because, beginning with the graduating Class of 2003, all students
educated with public funds will have to earn a competency determination
as one condition for receiving a high school diploma.
This test is taken in the 4th, 8th, and 10th grade. Students will be required to pass the grade test to graduate. This is a difficult test. Students are tested in English, Math, Social Studies, and Science. Refer to the provided Massachusetts Department of Education website for MCAS results.
Public schools, public kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high schools are under the control of the school board of the city/town in which located. The state mandates school attendance for children between the ages of 6 and 16; and require school systems to operate kindergartens, but does not require children to attend them. According to state regulations a child must be enrolled in school (kindergarten or first grade) in the calendar year in which the child turns six.
When registering children in a new school, parents need to bring all school records from their previous school, including immunization records. Children entering Kindergarten need immunization records and a birth certificate. If school records are not released to parents by the former school, the receiving school will have parents complete a release form and request records by mail.
The Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School is an independent public charter school established and opened for the 1995-96 school year on Devens. It is a member of the Coalition of Charter Essential Schools. Information about the school can be obtained by calling (978) 772-3293. This is the only school of its type operating on Devens, and has no connection with the military.
GIFTED AND TALENTED:
Gifted and Talented programs are available
in most schools. Coordinators for this program travel between
school systems to offer greater availability. There are
12 private schools in the area. Refer to education overview.
Contact Army Community Service.
There are no high schools on Devens. High Schools are located in the community where service members relocate.
HIGH SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS:
English - 20 credits
Social Studies - 20 credits
Math - 20 credits
Science - 20 credits
Health - 2.5 credits
Physical Education - 2.5
Fine Arts - 2.5
The state minimums are 4 years of English, 3 years of social studies, 2 years of math and 2 years of science. However, most students take 4 years in each of the above subjects.
For more Web site information
on this subject, visit
http://www.doe.mass.edu
Private Schools
A listing of private schools in the area can be obtained from Army Community Service (ACS). There are several private and parochial elementary and middle/high schools in the area.
Children will normally attend a public school in the town or city in which they live, unless the decision is made by the family to attend a public or private school in another town.
Special Education
Massachusetts and Federal law require that every school system in the state have in place a program to meet the special educational needs of any student living in the community requiring special education. Any parent of a child with identified with special educational needs, or any parent wishing to have their son/daughter assessed for special educational needs should contact the Special Needs Department or Office of the Superintendent of Schools of the school system their child attends, or in their town of residence.
For additional information on Offices of Superintendent of Schools in the local area, see the Record Listings under Related Subject, Public and DODDS Schools , this Category.
Children for birth to adult have the opportunity to develop and reach his/her potential as a family member.
he Massachusetts Department of Education provides programs in each of their community from federal early intervention programs to adults earning their General Educational Development (GED)
Each school district is required to test children and put together an Individual Education Plan (IEP) with a team of professionals for each identified child. Parents play a big role in the implementation and changes required.
Children of active duty service members with identified special educational needs must be enrolled in the Army Exceptional Family Member Program. Information on this process is available by calling Army Community Service, (978) 796-3023, 0730-1600, M-F, and meeting with the EFMP representative. Information on two of the many Special Education Departments of area school systems is listed under Record Listings.
See the websites for further and exact information pertaining to your community.
Colleges and Universities
Atlantic Union College , Fitchburg State College, University of MA Lowell and Western New England College provide a variety of educational opportunities within a 30 minute commuting distance of Devens. Western New England College offers a selection of courses taught on Devens toward various Associates, Bachelors, and Masters degrees. In the Greater Boston area, a 45-minute to one-hour commute in non-rush hour traffic, there are over fifty colleges and universities to choose from. Massachusetts state colleges charge in-state tuition rates for military and their dependents. Some state colleges offer free tuition to active duty military. The free tuition policy varies between state colleges. Interested persons should call their state college of choice and request information from that college.
Adult or Continuing Education
Boston, Massachusetts is the mecca of higher learning institutions. It boasts such names as Harvard, MIT, Boston College, Boston University, Northeastern University and Brandies University just to name a few. Check the website for information on all the colleges in Boston.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, Atlantic Union College, Fitchburg State College, and Mount Wachusett Community College provide a variety of educational opportunities in this area. Western New England College offers a limited selection of courses taught on Devens. These and other colleges offer a broad range of two year, four year, Masters degree and certificate programs. In the Greater Boston area, a 45 min. commute in non-rush hour traffic, there are over 50 colleges and universities to choose from.
ARMY REGIONAL EDUCATION CENTER AT DEVENS:
Active duty and AGR soldiers should address education related questions to the Army Education Center, Building 666, 30 Quebec Street, Devens, MA at 978-796-2354. The center services soldiers in all the New England States
Services offered are the following:
- Defense Activity for
Non-Traditional Education Support
- A full range of testing
opportunities such as CLEP, DANTES, ACT, SAT
- AARTS Transcripts
- Veterans Education Benefits information
- Army Personnel
Testing to include language
- Financial information and
resources
The 2004 Massachusetts Colleges and University page which
lists all of the institutions of higher learning in MA.
Name
of college, email address, scholarships and financial aid
available online application and college website.
For more information - http://www.college-scholarships.com/massachusetts.htm