Mystic Valley Regional Charter School
About the School
School Mission: The Mission of the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School is to provide the opportunity of a world class education characterized by a well-mannered, disciplined and structured academic climate. Central to Mystic Valley's academic environment is the incorporation of selected core virtues and the fundamental ideals of our American Culture, which are embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.
Mystic Valley Regional Charter School is a public charter school serving 1600 students in grades K-12. It is located in Malden, MA, about 5 miles north of Boston. Mystic Valley includes a K-8 school and a high school (9-12).
Mystic Valley schedules 200 instructional days each year, with an extended school day running from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The school prioritizes learning through Direct Instruction, Core Knowledge, Saxon Math, and "Great Books". In grades 11-12, students can participate in the International Baccalaureate Program to receive an IB diploma.
About the School: Mystic Valley Regional Charter School serves 1,653 students in grades K-12. The school's population is 33.8% White, 31% Asian, 17.9% Black, 12.6% Hispanica/Latino, 4.4% Multiracial, and 0.3% Native American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander. The school's population includes 2.3% ELL, 30.1% low-income students, and 10.5% SWD.
Key Takeaways
Mystic Valley Regional Charter School is an IB (International Bacchalaureate) School. In grades 11 and 12, students can choose to take the IB curriculum and receive an IB diploma. The IB curriculum is known to be very rigorous.
The curriculum is highly scripted - teachers are there to deliver instruction and manage the classroom, not to innovate. MVRCS utilizes direct instruction and minimizes the use of technology. Teachers are expected to be content specialists.
Students have daily character education from K-12.
MVRCS has a 90% college matriculation rate, and its focus is on preparing students to be successful in college.
Detailed Summary
From the school’s website: "Mystic Valley believes that schools should focus on what all Americans, and what all human beings, have in common, rather than focusing on what sets us apart."
Students wear a school uniform and attend 200 days per year.
The school has a clear instructional vision, which is followed from K-12.
MVRCS offers an IB (International Baccalaureate) Program in high school. Students can opt into this program for grades 11-12 to get an IB diploma, which is known to be a rigorous program.
The curriculum is very top-down and codified. Teachers are not encouraged to be creative. They are expected to focus on managing classrooms and delivering the curriculum that has been provided. The school talked about being more traditional in delivery of instruction, and this was evident throughout the school. They also minimize the use of technology. “The way we innovate is…sort of a setback.”
MVRCS focuses heavily on character education (K-12). Thirty minutes a day is devoted to a structured character education curriculum, which seems to impact the culture of classrooms.
The school runs an August boot camp for new teachers to ensure that they are ready to start the year.
MVRCS prioritizes community service.
Teachers have a 4 ½ day work week.
The cell phone policy is strict: The first time a student is seen using a phone, they need to put it on the teacher’s desk, a parent has to pick it up, and the student gets a detention.
MVRCS has a 90% college matriculation rate. The focus is on preparing all students to be successful in college. Within the school, there is a 3-5% retention rate.
The school day consists of nine 40-minute periods.
There is nothing on classroom walls, which is intentional (to avoid distractions).
Students can leave during lunch time.
Students have weekly homework assignments, which are given at the beginning of the week.