Boston Public Schools: Family Guide to the Pilot, Horace Mann, and Innovation Schools, 2011-2012

A Pilot School is a public school in the Boston Public School district with teachers who are members of the Boston Teachers Union. A Horace Mann Charter School is a public school under a Massachusetts state charter that operates within a regular school district and serves the students and families enrolled in that district. An Innovation School, a new development in Massachusetts education reform, is also an in-district public school that has been given increased autonomy and flexibility in up to six areas (depending on the school's design proposal): (1) curriculum; (2) budget; (3) schedule and calendar; (4) staffing; (5) professional development; and (6) district policies. This paper provides a description of a Pilot School, a Horace Mann Charter School, and an Innovation School. There are currently 21 Pilot Schools in Boston, all included in this guide. There are currently four Horace Mann Charter Schools in Boston which include Boston Day and Evening Academy, Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers, UP Academy and Boston Green Academy. Boston Public Schools is proposing additional Horace Mann Charter Schools (also referred to as "in-district charters") to open in future school years. Currently, Roger Clap (Elementary) Innovation School is the only Innovation School open in Boston.