Alma del Mar (“Soul of the Sea”) Charter School is a K-8 Expeditionary Learning public charter school that opened in August 2011 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Alma del Mar is committed to setting all of the students on a college trajectory and challenging them to be service-minded leaders. By engaging in a rigorous academic program with an emphasis on meaningful work, students master essential skills and content, take ownership of their learning and think boldly while addressing complex academic and community issues. Alma del Mar is the only Expeditionary Learning School in Southeastern Massachusetts. Since opening, Alma del Mar has added an additional grade each year and will continue to grow until serves a total of 360 scholars in grades K-8. In 2013, 71% of students qualified for free and reduced meals, 44% of students are Hispanic while 28% are White and 18% are Black.

You can access a case study documenting the school’s efforts here. Safal Partners worked on this as part of its contract to operate the National Charter School Center.