What is a charter school?
A charter school is a tuition-free, public school that is open to all students. It is largely free to design and implement its own educational program but must meet state education standards.

Is there a cost to attend Excel?
No. All charter schools, like all public schools, are tuition-free.

How can families enroll their children at Excel?
Families must submit an application for the upcoming school year. Students are accepted to attend through an open lottery.

What is the average class size at Excel?
The average class size is 26-28 students.

Do the schools have a uniform policy?
Yes. Students are required to wear khaki pants, a navy blue polo shirt, black socks, black shoes, and a belt.

Are students assigned homework daily?
Yes. Students are assigned 1½ to 2 hours of homework on average each night.

What academic support does Excel provide?
We offer Homework Club every day after school. Students receive targeted tutoring and academic support focused on individual needs during Focus periods throughout the week. Teachers are available for one-on-one and small group tutoring after school. We also offer high school entrance exam preparation classes.

Do you provide transportation to school?
Boston students residing at least 1.5 miles from Excel Academy-East Boston receive free MBTA passes to attend school. We currently provide free bus service to our Excel-East Boston Chelsea residents though we cannot guarantee this service in the future. We do not provide transportation to students for our Excel-Chelsea school.

How is Excel funded?
Our operating expenses are primarily funded by per-pupil tuition revenue paid by the state and federal and state entitlement grants. We also receive funding from private foundations, corporations and individuals to support our growth efforts and special projects and initiatives.

What are Excel's growth plans?

We have ambitious plans to open additional schools based on Excel's unique model over the next several years. Excel received 2 additional charters from the Department of Education in February 2011, and the second school in the Excel network opened this fall in Chelsea, MA.