Criteria

Charter School

Charter schools are public schools and are therefore open to all Massachusetts students on a space available basis. This means that the Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age, ancestry, athletic performance, special need, proficiency in the English language or in a foreign language, or prior academic achievement when recruiting or admitting students. Moreover, Banneker may not set admissions criteria that are intended to discriminate or that have the effect of discriminating based upon any of these characteristics.

M.G.L. c. 71, § 89(m); 603 CMR 1.05(2)

The Banneker has an interest in making sure that all prospective students and their families understand the mission and focus of the school and are interested in being a part of the school community.  Banneker is a K-6 School.  A 1-year kindergarten student must be 5 years old. A two-year kindergarten student must be 4 years old. The deadline for accepting applications is the day before the Lottery, which is held on the second Wednesday in March.  Since we are a public charter school, the only reasons a student would not be eligible would be their age or they are not a Massachusetts resident.  All grades, K-6, are accepted throughout the year.

Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School requires:

1. Candidates for admission to apply for the grade immediately following their current grade and to successfully complete that grade to be admitted.  Must be a Mass resident at the time they submit an application and while they are enrolled and while attending.
2. That primary preference for admission is given to siblings of students currently attending the school in accordance with Mass Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regulations.
3. That secondary preference for admission is given to students who are residents of Cambridge at the time that they are offered admission to the school, they must have three proofs of residence, examples of what is needed is sent home with the enrollment packet, unless the child is homeless.

Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School also requests but does not require:

Parents/ guardians and students attend informational sessions and orientation sessions as a condition of application or prior to enrollment.

Parents/guardians and students sign compacts that demonstrate their agreement with an understanding of the school’s mission.

Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School will not:

1. Give preferences to children of staff members or Board members;
2. Give preference to siblings of students accepted to the school but not yet attending; or
3. Make statements in meetings intended to discourage, or that have the effect of discouraging, parents/guardians of students with disabilities, students with limited English proficiency, or any other protected group of students from submitting an application to the school.  

OUTREACH

The Banneker provides information about the school to those who are interested throughout the year. The application period for all grades is advertised in local papers, daycares, and flyers around Cambridge. The school will have and implement a student recruitment and retention plan as outlined in MGL Chapter 71, Section 89(f) and 603 CMR 1.05(1).   Our website has forms, handbooks, annual reports, etc on the site along with information around the services we provide.  

The Banneker does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, creed, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age, ancestry, athletic performance, special need, proficiency in English language or foreign language, or prior academic achievement.  Attendance of Orientation Sessions is strongly encouraged but not required for students and their families.