Goddard scholars academy begins in the 6th grade. We accept 50 students to each class. Students apply to the GSA by invitation. Invitations to apply will be sent to 5th grade Worcester residents who received STAR Scores in both reading and mathematics that are above the 75th percentile.

We will look at the district recorded 4th grade spring, 5th grade fall, and 5th grade winter scores and use the highest of those scores for each area. If a child only took one of those test then we will just take that one score, if they only took two we will just look at the two. Once invitations are sent out applicants will be put into two tiers.

• STAR scores in reading and math in the 85th percentile or better

• STAR scores in reading and math in the 75th percentile or better

• There are a total of 50 seats available.

Students who apply will be ranked and accepted in that order. Any student not accepted will be placed on a waiting list in their ranked order.

In the case that we do not fill seats from Tier 1 then Tier 2 applicants will be chosen during a public lottery to fill the remaining 50 seats.

A waiting list will be created during to fill any open seats that become available through the end of the first quarter of 6th grade. Seats that become available will be filled from the ranked Tier 1 waiting list. If there are no students remaining, it will go to lottery of Tier 2.

Students who commit attend to the GSA in the 6th grade will negate their opportunity to attend Hanover Academy or UPCS for middle school grades 7&8. Students who commit to attend GSA will also forfeit all end of 6th grade celebrations, including elementary school graduation.

GSA students who maintain academic qualifications will automatically be accepted in the GSA at South High for grades 9-12. GSA students entering high school may choose to apply to any program in the city, but we strongly encourage students to remain in the GSA program at South High.

If your child is a Worcester Resident and has not taken STAR testing please contact Sullivan Middle School before March 15, 2025.

Note: Applications are due March 31, 2025.

Goddard Scholars Academy accepts fifty applicants into our 6th grade class each year. Applicants must be residents of Worcester—GSA is not an out of district school-choice school. We only fill open spots up until the end of the first quarter of 6th grade. We do not take applicants from the 7th or 8th grades.

Total enrollment for the school is 150 students, with 2 classes in each grade 6, 7 and 8. We expect students who enroll in the 6th grade will remain in the GSA for grades 6, 7 and 8.

Goddard Scholars Academy is an accelerated program designed for highly motivated, high achieving students.

The faculty of the GSA expects that all students will complete all work to the best of their abilities. We expect that students will do approximately one to two hours of homework each night. If students finish their homework early, we expect that they will spend their extra time engaged in reading, independent research or other academic pursuits that will help prepare them for the rigors of high school.

We expect students to maintain a grade average of 80% or higher and conduct and effort grades of A in all subjects. If a student drops below 80% in any particular subject they will arrange to get extra help from the teacher of that subject after school. All GSA students will choose and learn an instrument to be a part of our school-wide concert band. We expect caregivers to be active participants in their student's learning experiences in the GSA.

Overview of Goddard Scholars Academy at Sullivan Middle School

GSA at South High

GSA Innovation Plan

Questions Form