Student Support

Yes, following Massachusetts state law, our lottery is open to all students in our service area, not discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, sex, gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age, ancestry, athletic performance, special need, proficiency in the English language or a foreign language, or prior academic achievement. Following federal law, we must ensure that students who have been determined to be an eligible student with a disability receive special education services or general education accommodations, as appropriate. We have supportive special education teachers and counselors who will be sure that your child receives the services they need to succeed.

Not only does Sturgis accept English Learners, we encourage English learners to apply to the Sturgis lottery, and are looking to increase our population of linguistically diverse students. According to Massachusetts state law, our lottery is open to all students in our service area, not discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, sex, gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age, ancestry, athletic performance, special need, proficiency in the English language or a foreign language, or prior academic achievement.

We have English Education coordinators at both campuses who reach out to families and sending schools after the lottery to coordinate any translation/interpretation needs, and to better understand the needs of individual students. We support our English learners through the SEI model, including offering an English language development course, and push-in support in general education classes. As is required by all public and public charter schools in Massachusetts, we have a licensed ESL teacher at our school. As our English learner population increases, our teachers are in the process of become SEI (sheltered English immersion) endorsed to better serve the needs of English learners at our school.

Sturgis’s workload may be more challenging and rigorous than what your child is used to, depending on what their educational experience has been. The first two years are spent preparing your child for the International Baccalaureate Programme that they will enroll in for their junior and senior years. During grades 9 and 10, we will teach your child as much as possible to think and work like an IB student.

Sturgis’s motto is “IB for all.” We feel passionately that every student should have the opportunity to experience the IB Programme, no matter their prior academic achievement. Our Special Education Department is incredibly supportive, and our teachers are determined to provide a world-class education for all students. Four days each week, Sturgis holds a morning break between classes, when many students take advantage of time for peer tutoring or checking in with teachers, many of whom are also available to meet at lunch. Teachers also stay after school for extra help on certain days, and your teen’s counselor can arrange for peer tutors if your teen is interested. Our students express that our teachers are amazingly encouraging of them; if your child is struggling, help is available.