Welcome to Rising Tide Charter Public School! Founded in 1998, Rising Tide is a tuition-free public school that serves grades 5-12. Our school provides choice for families looking for an educational experience that prepares students for college and career readiness. Throughout our grades 5-12 programming, our team works to cultivate curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking and provide pathways to postsecondary success. 

Rising Tide is ranked in the top 10% of public schools by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Our school was also named a 2025 School of Recognition, one of 55 that received this recognition out of over 1,800 public schools across Massachusetts. The progress that our students make each year is impressive, and I hope you will consider joining our amazing school community.

Our students come from approximately 20 different towns, and it is wonderful to see them grow during their time here, regardless of their background or the zip code they come from. I hope you enjoy learning more about us as you explore our website. In addition, feel free to attend an Enrollment Open House, reach out to schedule a tour, or contact our staff directly with any questions you may have.

Warm regards,

Zahra Williams
Head of School

How is Rising Tide unique? Why would a family send their child to Rising Tide?

• As a relatively small public school, Rising Tide has a structure of supportive relationships, with an Advisory program at the center of that structure. Students are seen for who they are and who they are trying to be; in our school community, students do not fall through the cracks.
• Unique to Rising Tide, teachers take an inquiry and skills-based approach to teaching and learning. The faculty emphasizes the development of skills, outlined by Rising Tide’s Schoolwide Objectives and Skills.
• Unique to Rising Tide, the focus is on the development of the whole child, where students learn to be effective Communicators and Investigators as well as Self-Directed Learners and Community Stewards. Students graduate capable and prepared to succeed and have a positive impact on our community.
• Unique to Rising Tide, the Arts and World Languages are equal partners to English, Mathematics & Computer Science, Science, and Social Studies. Students have an opportunity to participate in Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts as well as Latin and Spanish.
• Unique to Rising Tide, students are given choice in high-interest elective options from grade 5 through grade 12 in addition to participating in their core courses. In the middle school, students get to choose, each year, two mini-courses from the Discover program that meet for a term. In the high school, students get to choose each year from a wide selection of semester-long courses.
• Unique to Rising Tide, we have several partnerships to support college and career readiness for our high school students, including a Dual Enrollment Program with Southern New Hampshire University and a Senior Internship Course with many local workplace partners.

How is Rising Tide like any other public school?

• Like all public schools, Rising Tide is tuition-free for all students.
• Like all public schools, bus transportation is available for students. Rising Tide offers regional bus transportation, free of charge, at community stops for the 19 towns we serve beyond Plymouth. Bus transportation is available to Plymouth residents by the Town of Plymouth, following the nominal fee structure set by the Plymouth Public Schools.
• Like all public schools, Rising Tide is held accountable by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
• Like in all public schools, students at Rising Tide participate in MCAS testing.
• Like all public schools, Rising Tide is open to students with disabilities and English language learners.
• Like other public schools, Rising Tide has clubs, after-school sports, and after-school arts programs.
• Similar to School Committees for traditional public schools, the Rising Tide Board of Trustees provides public oversight as agents of the state. In addition to the DESE accountability system for districts and schools, Rising Tide is also held accountable for Faithfulness to the Charter, Academic Program Success, and Organizational Viability.