Pioneer Charter School of Science I was recently honored by U.S. News and World Report in its annual distinguished ‘Best High Schools’ rankings. PCSS I ranked 17th in Massachusetts among 365 high schools, and placed 15th out of high schools from the surrounding Boston Metro Area.
The school earned its ranking based on student performance on state assessments from the 2019-2020 school year as well as the school’s demonstrated work to prepare students for college. Rankings also took into account enrollment of disadvantaged students.
Of the PCSS I students who took the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exams during the 2019-2020 school year, 87% scored proficient or advanced in Math and 78% scored proficient or advanced in English.
PCSS I’s graduation rate also played a large role in its state ranking, the publication noted the school graduated 97% of its class, with the school ranking 13th in the state for college readiness.
“We are extremely delighted with PCSS II’s ranking on this year’s U.S. News and World Report ‘Best High Schools’ list,” said Barish Icin, the schools’ Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud to see our school’s mission of preparing our students for higher education reaffirmed in this report. Thank you to our entire school community, teachers, students and families who made such a wonderful achievement possible.”
PCSS I is a rigorous college preparatory charter school based with a mission to prepare educationally under resourced students for today’s competitive world. This year, students at both PCSS high schools have already received college acceptance letters to schools such as Stanford, Berkeley, Cornell, Northwestern and Boston College.
With schools in Everett (PCSS I) and Saugus (PCSS II), Pioneer Charter School of Science offers a rigorous academic curriculum emphasizing math, science, and analytical thinking skills balanced by a strong foundation in the humanities. The school offers extended days/hours and career-oriented college preparation. Students must pass five math and five science classes in order to graduate – more than state standards, and students must complete 40 hours of community service. The school has a 195-day school calendar, extended days, after school tutoring and “voluntary” Saturday classes for students who need extra help.