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GreatSchools Rating

Young Achievers Science and Math School

Public | K-8 | 491 students

Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
No new ratings

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4 reviews of this school


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Posted January 31, 2011

In my opinion one of the best Boston Public schools. Last year went through a major transition moving schools, accepting middle school kids from a completely different school with different expectations,etc. Last year was a tough year,the new kids fighting, some kids from young achievers had never witnessed kids physically fighting before. It was pretty chaotic. We thought we had lost our wonderful school community. But with the incredible leadership and community of committed teachers and parents, this year the new kids are now integrated into the community and doing great. The school feels more like itsself again. Young Achievers has a speciality for inclusion, which means the school has a number of special needs kids. When looking at MCAS scores parents should take this into account as scores will be lower because of this.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 23, 2008

I currently have 1 child attending Young Achievers since K1 and two years ago had my other child transferred there as well. The school is truly a community within itself. I nor my children have experienced any other school like it. One of my children had attended another school in the bps system and had numerous difficulties, the teachers didn't care whether or not the kids learned because they were getting paid regardless. At YA the teachers and faculty work together to make sure that every child is counted when it comes to their education and even beyond. They let all the children know that everyone is equal and has opportunities to become whatever he/she desires. One of my children want to be Doctor and the other a Marine Biologist. With YA helping me to pave the way for my childrens future.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 15, 2008

I'm not sure when the last review was written but I think it must have been a while ago. The school's MCAS scores have risen dramatically and despite the fact that the school does not teach to the MCAS like some Boston Public schools do, the scores have improved every year. Young Achievers emphasizes the Habits of Mind: perseverance, creativity ,equity, connections and investigation. There is a real sense of community. All three of my children have attended since K-! and one is now in middle school. We have watched the school grow and my children are thriving. I do agree the expectations for teachers are high and there has been turnover, but less than before. I highly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 8, 2004

This school started off on a great track eight years ago. Parents and students united in every facet of the learning process. However, the school has been taken over by over zealous parents that make important decisions that should ultimately be made by Principal Chalmers while student life hangs in the balance. The school more recently has been modeling after a wind up toy battery. It has great ideas and excellent vision, but has trouble seeing things through and has failed miserably in many academics according to factual MCAS results. Additionally the high faculty resignation turnover is also of great concern. This school has had major difficulty maintaining good teachers. Additionally the long gruesome hours (9:15 to 5p.m.) has caused both student and faculty to burn out candles at both ends. It's really very sad.
—Submitted by Jeremy Corwin, a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 61% in 2011.

36 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
25%

2010

 
 
42%

2009

 
 
31%

2008

 
 
60%
Math

The state average for Math was 66% in 2011.

36 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
14%

2010

 
 
61%

2009

 
 
43%

2008

 
 
62%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 53% in 2011.

37 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
14%

2010

 
 
16%

2009

 
 
34%

2008

 
 
35%
Math

The state average for Math was 47% in 2011.

37 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
8%

2010

 
 
8%

2009

 
 
48%

2008

 
 
34%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 67% in 2011.

46 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
26%

2010

 
 
41%

2009

 
 
21%

2008

 
 
40%
Math

The state average for Math was 59% in 2011.

46 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
26%

2010

 
 
44%

2009

 
 
19%

2008

 
 
40%
Science

The state average for Science was 50% in 2011.

46 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
7%

2010

 
 
27%

2009

 
 
10%

2008

 
 
26%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 68% in 2011.

66 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
35%

2010

 
 
30%

2009

 
 
60%

2008

 
 
65%
Math

The state average for Math was 58% in 2011.

66 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
37%

2010

 
 
30%

2009

 
 
59%

2008

 
 
41%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 73% in 2011.

42 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
57%

2010

 
 
51%

2009

 
 
79%

2008

 
 
73%
Math

The state average for Math was 51% in 2011.

42 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
28%

2010

 
 
19%

2009

 
 
31%

2008

 
 
24%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 79% in 2011.

65 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
55%

2010

 
 
53%

2009

 
 
87%

2008

 
 
67%
Math

The state average for Math was 52% in 2011.

64 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
23%

2010

 
 
21%

2009

 
 
60%

2008

 
 
53%
Science

The state average for Science was 39% in 2011.

64 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
9%

2010

 
 
6%

2009

 
 
31%

2008

 
 
0%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

All Students25%
Female33%
Male21%
African American29%
Asiann/a
Hispanic14%
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged26%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
English language learnersn/a

Math

All Students14%
Female25%
Male8%
African American14%
Asiann/a
Hispanic7%
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged19%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

All Students14%
Female20%
Male9%
African American17%
Asiann/a
Hispanic13%
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged17%
Not economically disadvantaged8%
Students with disabilities10%
English language learnersn/a

Math

All Students8%
Female0%
Male14%
African American17%
Asiann/a
Hispanic0%
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged8%
Not economically disadvantaged8%
Students with disabilities0%
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

All Students26%
Female37%
Male19%
African American23%
Asiann/a
Hispanic33%
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged29%
Not economically disadvantaged17%
Students with disabilities6%
English language learnersn/a

Math

All Students26%
Female10%
Male37%
African American19%
Asiann/a
Hispanic39%
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged29%
Not economically disadvantaged17%
Students with disabilities18%
English language learnersn/a

Science

All Students7%
Female5%
Male7%
African American8%
Asiann/a
Hispanic6%
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged6%
Not economically disadvantaged8%
Students with disabilities0%
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

All Students35%
Female40%
Male32%
African American27%
Asiann/a
Hispanic53%
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged38%
Not economically disadvantaged20%
Students with disabilities6%
English language learnersn/a

Math

All Students37%
Female43%
Male32%
African American34%
Asiann/a
Hispanic40%
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged34%
Not economically disadvantaged50%
Students with disabilities12%
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

All Students57%
Female74%
Male37%
African American56%
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged50%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilities20%
English language learnersn/a

Math

All Students28%
Female30%
Male26%
African American26%
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged21%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilities13%
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

All Students55%
Female70%
Male45%
African American51%
Asiann/a
Hispanic63%
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged50%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilities39%
English language learnersn/a

Math

All Students23%
Female30%
Male19%
African American19%
Asiann/a
Hispanic31%
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged24%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilities6%
English language learnersn/a

Science

All Students9%
Female7%
Male11%
African American7%
Asiann/a
Hispanic11%
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged7%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilities0%
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Black 56% 8%
Hispanic 35% 14%
White 4% 70%
Two or more races 3% 2%
Asian 1% 5%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander N/A 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students participating in free or reduced-price lunch program 73%N/A31%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 15N/A14
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

School basics

School Leader's name
  • Virginia Chalmers
Fax number
  • (617) 635-6811

Programs

Specific academic themes or areas of focus

Don't understand these terms?
  • Vocational education
School leaders can update this information here.
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

20 Outlook Rd.
Mattapan, MA 02126
Website: Click here
Phone: (617) 635-8623

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