PVPA is a regional public charter school serving 400 students grades 7-12, from over 60 towns throughout Western Massachusetts. We seek to connect the creative process with critical thinking to inspire a love of learning. As a charter school, the work we do informs educational policy at local, state and national levels.
The science department offers courses in major scientific fields of study including biology, ecology, chemistry, physics, engineering, astronomy, geology, and various other classes. The courses focus on developing problem-solving strategies through experimental and project-based activities and are considered laboratory sciences unless otherwise noted in the course description. Courses that are year-long include seventh grade science; eighth grade science; ninth grade science; biology; chemistry; and physics. Other courses may be year-long or semester-long. See the course descriptions for details.
Each course adheres to the Massachusetts Science and Engineering State Frameworks and prepares students for the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests in grades 8 and 10. In the sophomore year of high school (grade 10) students take the Science and Technology/Engineering Exam as part of the MCAS test. The content of the exam reflects the course that the student is currently taking in the sophomore year. For example, a student taking biology in year 10 will take the biology MCAS exam in June of that academic year.
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