An education where students are crew, not passengers.
For more than two decades, McAuliffe has shown what a free public charter school built on Expeditionary Learning can do for the families of Framingham.
Scholars who set high standards for themselves and their community.
We exist to prepare every scholar for success in high school, college, and a life of active citizenship — through challenging, real-world learning.
McAuliffe is one of a small number of Credentialed EL Education schools in the country. Our practice has been independently validated against the highest national standards for student achievement, instruction, and school culture.
We serve a diverse community, and we mean it: applications, conferences, and communications are offered in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and our doors are open to every family in our district.
Two decades of fieldwork, not field trips.
The school opens its doors
McAuliffe is founded in Framingham as a free public charter middle school, named for educator and astronaut Christa McAuliffe.
Adopting Expeditionary Learning
The school commits fully to the EL Education model — crew, fieldwork, and standards-based grading become the backbone of daily life.
Earning EL credentialing
After years of practice, McAuliffe becomes one of a handful of independently Credentialed EL schools nationwide.
A community that keeps growing
Today 360 scholars learn across grades 6–8, supported by interpretation in three languages and a phones-first family experience.
Four ideas that shape every day.
Real-world learning
Scholars investigate authentic questions in the field — from rafting expeditions to MFA visits and podcast production with WBUR.
Built-in belonging
Every scholar belongs to a crew — a small group that meets daily for community, character, and academic check-ins.
Student-led conferences
Scholars present their own learning to families twice a year. They own their growth, and the data backs it up.
Standards-based grading
Grades reflect specific skills, not just averages. Families see exactly where their scholar is strong and where to grow.
Meet the team guiding your scholar.
A leadership team that knows our scholars by name — and shows up for them every day.
Nobody is listed in the staff directory yet.
The greatest teacher you can have is the one who’s interested in you as a person — and that’s what every adult at McAuliffe does, every day.