Rising Tide Charter Public School ranks in the top decile of all school districts in Massachusetts for synchronous learning time for students. Of the 270 districts profiled for live learning time from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Rising Tide’s average amount of time is greater than 246 districts in the state.

“There are no easy solutions to operating schools, or being parents with children in schools, during a pandemic,” said Michael O’Keefe, Head of School at Rising Tide. “While we are currently not able to be teaching in a standard manner, fully in-person without masks and physical distance restrictions, we are creatively fulfilling Rising Tide’s mission and key design elements through our structure of supportive relationships and our approach to teaching and learning.”

In Rising Tide’s hybrid model, students follow the same schedule whether at home or at school. They have their advisory class every day and maintain the same core classes four days a week. On Wednesdays, which are half days, students participate in morning meetings followed by special programming, library classes, and skills workshops. Approximately 272 students attend Rising Tide in-person on Thursdays and Fridays, and 267 students attend on Mondays and Tuesdays. Roughly 100 students have chosen to learn remotely full time. The average class size is 10-12 students who are seated minimally six feet apart, and they engage with the rest of their classmates via a computer screen.

“We have been able to provide a consistent structure, staffing model, technology platform, and approach to teaching and learning, bringing continuity to students, regardless of any shifts between a remote learning model, a hybrid model, or an in-person model,” said Mr. O’Keefe. “We are able to do this because of the tremendous hard work and dedication of our teachers who are well prepared to meet the needs of both in-person and virtual learners. Whether students are learning at home or at school this year, Rising Tide fosters the development of skills, the exploration of content knowledge, and the deepening of understanding with each student.” 

Rising Tide’s Annual Enrollment Period for the 2021-2022 school year is now open. During this time, the school is accepting applications for enrollment for grades 5-11 for the 2021-2022 school year. Applications are due by Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. All applicants, including siblings of current students, must submit the one-page application by the deadline to be eligible for enrollment. The application is available both online and through a paper form. Applications are also available at the Main Office of the school located at 59 Armstrong Road in Plymouth. Completed paper applications can be faxed to (508) 747-1826, emailed to mjackson@risingtide.org, mailed, or dropped off to the front desk.

Interested families may attend Rising Tide’s Virtual Enrollment Open House on Thursday, January 21 at 6:30 p.m. This Q & A session will provide detailed information about Rising Tide’s educational programs, including details on its free bus transportation to 20 South Shore towns. As a public school, Rising Tide is tuition-free and open to all students who reside in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.