Our History
Located in Worcester, Massachusetts and founded in 1998, Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School is named in honor of Abby Kelley Foster, a 19th century Worcester resident who was a leader in the abolitionist and women’s rights movements. Charter schools are independent public schools that operate under five-year charters granted by the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and governed by a Board of Directors/Trustees. Abby Kelley has had its Charter renewed consistently, without conditions, since 2003. Currently, the school is in the second year of its most recent five-year Charter term.
Our Mission
The mission of the Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School is to assist parents in their role as primary educators of their children by providing a classical liberal arts education grounded in the great works of Western Civilization and aimed at academic excellence, musical competence and character formation.
Our Parents
Abby Kelley views parents as the primary educators of their children and encourages them to actively participate in our school’s community. To foster positive parental relationships, Abby Kelley offers frequent information sessions and encourages participation through parent/teacher groups, classroom volunteer opportunities and other school activities. Abby Kelley faculty develops positive relationships and communication with parents, as strong parent communication ensures progress toward academic and behavioral standards.
Our Students
This portrait of Abby Kelley Foster hangs at the entrance to our Elementary School and highlights who Abby Kelley Foster was and what she was able to accomplish in her life time.
Our student body is reflective of the minority populations in Worcester and 93% of our students are Worcester residents. Our community is comprised of 53% of students identifying as African American, 21% identifying as Hispanic, 20% identifying as White, and 6% identifying
as other races. Abby Kelley has a K-12 student enrollment of 1,426 and more than 200 faculty and staff. The school’s campus includes four buildings and athletic fields. Students have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities, team sports, clubs, and musical activities ranging from electives to full orchestra.
Currently, in our ninth year of offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB) for our High School students, the IB Programme develops inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help to create a better world through intercultural understanding and respect. The Programme encourages students across the world to become active, compassionate, and lifelong learners.
Abby Kelley’s graduation rate is consistently at or above 96% and in 2019 and 2020 the High School was ranked among the top 10% in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
