Old Sturbridge Academy At a Glance
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  • K-8 Charter Public School that opened September 11, 2017 for grades K-3; Will serve grades K-7 in the 2021/2022 school year. 
  • A tuition-free public charter school with a maximum enrollment of 360 students.
  • Admission is by lottery. Yearly lottery for available seats is held in March and is open to all residents of Massachusetts. Preference in the lottery is given to students who reside in the 12 towns that comprise the district: Brimfield, Brookfield, East Brookfield, North Brookfield, Holland, Monson, Palmer, Southbridge, Spencer, Sturbridge, Wales, and Webster.
  • Preference is given to applicants who have a sibling enrolled in OSACPS.
  • Two classrooms per grade level with a maximum of 20 students per class.
  • School day is 8:00-2:15 with a minimum of 185 days per year.
  • Students wear uniforms to school, creating a sense of camaraderie among students as well as encouraging self-expression through avenues other than clothes.
  • Located on site of Old Sturbridge Village.
  • Extended day program is available.

What is a charter school?
Charter schools are public institutions open to any child who is a resident of Massachusetts – no admission hurdles or fees, no entrance exams and no preferential treatment. If more children want to enroll in a community’s charter school than it has space for, a lottery determines admission.

Charter public schools must follow the same educational standards for both teachers and students, administer the same standardized tests, employ the state’s common core curriculum, and abide by all the same laws and regulations as public schools. The difference lies in the management flexibility charter schools are given. For example, charter schools can lengthen their school day and year to provide more time in the classroom, and establish their own educational culture.