In February, 2005, the Massachusetts Board of Education granted a charter to the Board of Trustees of Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School of Excellence to operate an independent, public charter school in Springfield.  MLK Charter School opened in September, 2006 with 180 children in kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades.  Adding one grade, 60 students, each year, MLK Charter School now educates 300 children in grades K-4.  In September, 2009, the school reaches full enrollment under its charter serving 360 K-5 children.

 

In 2002, the board of directors and executive director of MLK Community Center started the process of applying for a charter for a school that would follow Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision academic excellence and character development for all children including those growing up in poverty.  The founding group grew into a broadly representative collaboration among diverse people committed to Springfield and its children.  The board of trustees is an outgrowth of the founding group.  MLK Community Center continues to be a partner of the independent, public charter school.

 

MLK Charter School enters its third year confident in our achievements as a community.  The board of trustees remains focused on the vision of our students becoming young people we are all proud of.  The parents and guardians strongly support the school and our mission.  The diverse and talented staff loves the children and challenges them to reach their full potential.  At MLK Charter School, the children feel secure, supported, and called upon to meet our academic and behavior expectations.  Together we are building our beloved community.