Atlantis is a public charter school providing a high level of instruction to students in Readiness Kindergarten through Grade 8. Atlantis is dedicated to developing and implementing an integrated Massachusetts Department of Elementary and secondary Education approved curriculum emphasizing core subjects, ocean and maritime studies, and the 21st century skills needed for life-long success. 

The mission of Atlantis Charter School is “to provide an education second to none yielding academic excellence and life-long learning skills”. Atlantis, an independent public charter school, provides a choice in free public education to all families in Greater Fall River by offering its students a solid academic foundation on which to build a successful future. To provide a safe, caring, innovative and progressive learning environment, Atlantis expects a shared partnership involving parents/caretakers, faculty and staff, students, and community members. To meet the needs of our student population, Atlantis faculty and staff applies best and innovative practices in the delivery of instruction.  It is the goal of Atlantis to become a model of educational excellence.

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

We believe that, as an inalienable right, every child should be provided the opportunity to receive an excellent education. As such, at Atlantis we will guide each of our students to understand and reflect on the value of lifelong learning.

STUDENT POPULATION

With a low student-instructor ratio of 8.2 to 1 and an average class size of only 21.2 to 1, Atlantis students benefit from close and individualized instruction. Students have a longer school day (7.5 hours) and a longer school year (186 days) and are required to wear uniforms. Beyond the academic support provided, our students and their caregivers receive “whole child” support services from the Family Learning Center and from Kids’ Cove, our before and after-school enrichment program.  Teachers and other academic support personnel are available prior to and following the school day to assist students in their academic pursuits.  Extra-curricular activities such as the Drama, Music, Chess, Reading, Mystery, and Homework Clubs, as well as intramural sports are also available after school to all students.

OUR TEACHERS

At Atlantis, certified teachers employ a variety of teaching models and instructional strategies, including cooperative learning, guided inquiry, direct instruction, project based learning and peer coaching. Special Education and Title I faculty and staff work with the classroom teacher in an inclusion model to provide instructional support in Reading and Mathematics in a one-on-one or small group setting. A focused program offers weekly  professional development opportunities for all teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators.  A model state approved teacher-mentoring program is a key support system to all new teachers at Atlantis.

OUR SUCCESSES

A few highlights of Atlantis Charter School successes of over the first 13 years:

Purchased 66 acres of land on which to develop and build a new state of the art academic facility for grades K-12

The renewal of the Atlantis Charter has twice been approved (2000 & 2005) by the Massachusetts Board of Education

Student population Atlantis has increased by more than 225% (1996-97: 212 students; 2007-08 702 students)

The number of students on the active Student Waiting List has increased from zero in 1996 to 500 in 2008

As required under No Child Left Behind, has continually made Adequate Yearly Progress in English and Mathematics (aggregate) since 2003

Atlantis families have donated more than 12,000 hours of volunteer time during the

past four years (2003-07)

100% of parents or caregivers have signed the Home and School Parent Involvement Compact and have attend all Parent-Teacher Conferences each year.

Outperformed local district students in the spring 2007 MCAS as follows:

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

Atlantis views technology as essential for a lifetime of educational and professional success in the 21st century. The school’s state-of-the-art computer network is comprised of more than 200 Windows XP PC’s and laptops supported by 10 Windows Server 2003 servers.  With a student to instructional PC ratio of 5:1, Atlantis is able to provide its students technology opportunities “second to none”, allowing us to remain faithful to our mission of instilling “lifelong learning” values in the mind of each child we educate.

OUR CAMPUS

Atlantis Charter School (Upper School) is an urban campus setting, with two locations in Fall River. The Julien F. Paul Campus, on Park Street, serves approximately 300 students in Grades 5 through 8. The South Main Street Campus (Lower School) serves approximately 400 students in Readiness Kindergarten through Grade 4. Both locations have access to park or playground facilities, and overlook the Taunton River.

The Atlantis family - students, parents, caregivers, staff, faculty, boards and volunteers – contribute their time, experience, money and energy to make our school the success that it is.  At this important and exciting time in our development, we hope that you will join us in DISCOVERING ATLANTIS.

A charter school is an independently run public school granted greater flexibility in its operations in return for greater accountability for performance.  Massachusetts charter schools must have their charters renewed every five years.