Who we are
“Your great strength is knowing who you are.” – Oscar de la Renta.
We believe in the promise and potential of every scholar - this is the foundation of our Lower Academy program. We are set apart from other schools with a literacy program that prioritizes daily independent and guided reading; individual student learning goals; and tracked growth three times a year for every single student. Our exceptional learning support is infused into rigorous, instruction through general instruction and targeted interventions led by general content and specialized educators. Varied enrichment opportunities during and after school, events and college field trips, and monthly grade meetings are a few of the ways we strive to develop student skill, help them investigate their own interests, and foster community pride. We are different – come see why.
WHAT WE VALUE
We are focused. We set ambitious goals and we achieve them.
Meet Principal Cruz, Lower Academy
Principal Cruz is a proud Latina and first-generation college-graduate of Lehigh University, majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience. She also attended Harvard University where she received her Master's Degree in Mind. Brain. and Education.
Starting her career as a AP high school science teacher in Texas, she then worked in education non-profit positions before joining Libertas Academy as our 6th Grade Founding Science teacher in 2017, subsequently growing into Grade Level Chair and Principal-in-Residence. In 2020, Ms. Cruz formally took on the role of Lower Academy Principal - supporting the school as it entered online learning. During the last 5 years of her principalship, Ms. Cruz is proud to say that LACS middle schoolers have grown to hold the #1 student growth percentile for ELA and the #3 for MATH in the entire state. Alongside her team, she drives every day to ensure our academy is one of love, acceptance, and high expectations. In her mind and heart, our students are the future change makers of tomorrow and there is no limit to their potential when we hold a high bar and push EVERY STUDENT with belief and care.
What makes us Unique
A RIGOROUS CURRICULUM
We utilize a curriculum that prepares students for the 21st century with resources to help them access it including high quality literature, materials that place cognitive lift on students, and 1:1 student-laptop ratio.
ENGAGEMENT AND GROUPWORK
Shoulder and group work at Libertas Academy is encouraged often. We learn to synthesize and articulate ideas and to expand our perspectives from others’ voices.
PARTICIPATION AND ADVOCACY
We want to hear what students have to say. We create opportunities for students to speak up and often, ask questions, and articulate their opinions.
Reading at Libertas
Every member of the Libertas Team is deeply committed to the following bottom line: With targeted support, individualized goals, quality texts, and warm demand, every student at LACS can and will grow several reading levels throughout the academic year.
First:
Our guided reading program is daily, small group, targeted reading instruction. Students receive individual coaching during every lesson and progress quickly.
Second:
Building a culture of reading and love of books at Libertas with a school library and beautiful, inviting libraries in every homeroom.
Third:
Devoting time during the school day for scholars to read and shop for books of their choice with support from their advisor
Fourth:
Spending class time finding the meaning of high-quality, short texts and writing about the meaning of those texts (ELA & History!)
Our Results
#1
Lower Academy students achieved a 66% Student Growth Percentile in ELA compared to the state level (50%) and Springfield Public Schools (46%) according to 23-24 MCAS data. This was #3 of all schools and #1 of all charter schools in the state of MA.
#2
Lower Academy students achieved a 72% Student Growth Percentile in Math compared to the state level (50%) and Springfield Public Schools (45%) according to 23-24 MCAS data. This was #5 of all schools and #3 of all charter schools in the state of MA.
90%
Lower Academy English Language Learners (ELL) achieved a 67% Student Growth Percentile compared to ELL students across the state (46%) according to 23-24 MCAS data.