The Lawrence Family Development Charter School (LFDCS) recently hosted two graduation programs:  one was for its eighth graders who will enter high school this coming fall and the other graduation was for its youngest students who completed the K-2 kindergarten program. Fifty-four (54) students graduated from eighth grade on Monday evening, June 12 and eighty-one (81) students graduated from the Kindergarten-2 program on Tuesday morning, June 13.

Of special note are the academic accomplishments of the LFDCS grade 8 class of 2017. Over-performing many of their age-level peers in other schools, these grade 8 graduates represent the Lawrence Family Development Charter School’s twenty-second year of providing quality independent public education. According to Superintendent, Ralph Carrero, “our work is focused on our mission. As the proud recipient of 5, five-year Massachusetts public charter school approvals, it is our mission to work with families which fuels our success. This year was an especially productive one due to the launch of one-to-one devices at our upper school. This addition to our excellent instruction better prepares our students for high school as well as jobs of the future”.

Collectively, this year’s grade 8 grade graduates earned over $1,730,000 in scholarships and financial aid to four-year high schools. Additionally, Lawrence Family Development Charter School works closely with the ABC (A Better Chance) organization which assists with the high school placements of talented students. This national organization is based on the ABC mission of “opening the door to educational opportunities for thousands of young people of color.” Of note is that for this talented group of graduates included many honors and high honors for their academic work in the eighth grade at Lawrence Family Development Charter School.

The class of 2017 grade 8 graduates of the Lawrence Family Development Charter School are: Yohandy Acevedo, Dairy Aracena, Andrew Azzi, Jeffrey Baldonado, Rory Bencosme, Kasey Bisono, Angelis Casanova, Alenairam Castillo, Jeremias Castillo, Ambar Chalas, Aleanny Concepcion, Giovanni Cruz, Samuel Cruz, Michelle Del Toro, Delissa Dominguez, Miguel Duran, Javier Estrella, Mariely Ferreira, Hecmely Ferreiras, Jayla Garcia, Desteny Gonzalez, Sebastian Guerra, Jason Gutierrez, Richery Guzman, Brianna Hernandez, Kelvin Lopez, KD Lopez, Justin Martinez, Kevin Matos, Rosangela Mejia, Bryan Morel Reynoso, Arianna Munoz, Jose Nunez, Chantelle Pena, Isatys Perez, Oliver Piantini, Sophia Porres, Harry Portorreal, Albert Reyes, Josue Rosario, Perla Rosario, Erickson Rivas, Khiana Rudis, Sophia Saldarriaga, Alexus Santiago, Anaeli Santiago, Manny Tejada, Emily Then, Victoria Torres, Delby Urena, Lisselotte Vargas, Yovanny Ventura, Izel Veras, Wilmer Zapata.High schools from which LFDCS’ 2017 graduates received scholarships and/or are planning to attend in the fall are: Abbott Lawrence Academy, Berkshire Academy (ABC), Central Catholic High School, Governor's Academy, Greater Lawrence Technical School, Haverhill High School, Lawrence High School, Methuen High School, Notre Dame Cristo Rey High School, Phillips Academy Andover, Presentation of Mary Academy, Staples High School, Westport, CT (ABC), St. John's Preparatory School, Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, Wilbraham & Monson Academy and Winchester High School (ABC).

In addition to its grade 8 graduates accomplishments, the Lawrence Family Development Charter School offers its students a strong kindergarten foundation prior to the beginning of the elementary grades. This is done through a high-quality, two-year kindergarten academy where students learn the alphabet and begin reading, learn to count and solve problems, as they develop music, gross motor, science and social skills. Mr. Carrero, Director/Superintendent of the school stated that: “In the season when we see our successful grade 8 move to high school, we are delighted to see a large number of students successfully complete a rigorous early childhood program and move from Kindergarten-2 to first grade. Our youngest students celebrated their achievements on June 13 with extensive parent involvement at our Academy graduation. We believe that parents play a critical role in a child’s education, and we actively involve our parents in every aspect of our charter school”.Eighty-one (81) students participated in the June 2017 Kindergarten-2 graduation program of the Lawrence Family Development Charter School. Completing from Ms. Orlando’s class: Jadiel Almanzar, Estefania Alvarez, Shania Baez, Lucas Cabrera, Alyanna Cardona, Dominic Cedeno, Skarlyn De La Cruz, Arihanna De Los Santos, Camilla Diaz, Leidiumer Duran, Albert Grullon, Jerlyn Henriquez, Amelia Hiraldo, Daniella Matias, Adrian Moreta, Reyneliz Onofre, Jose Giovani Pichardo, Josaiah Polanco, Izael Santiago, Derek Tejada, Darlennee Veras; Completing from Ms. Duffy’s class: Carlos Daniel Alonzo, Tighe Arache, Justin Figueroa, Katherine Javier, Savannah Le, Wilmaris Lopez, Mayalis Martinez, Jualbert Mata, Brandon Matos, Brianna Ogola, Jariel Ontivero, Julenny Ortega, Jayden Perez, Jeilyn Quezada, Julianny Ruiz, Jarkari Sanchez, Avrie Urena, Diuleidy Vargas, Malakai Veras; Completing from Ms. Williams’ class: Nicole Acevedo, Amilia Casado, Enzo Cisneros, Camila Cleto, Jeral De Pena-Reyes, Debanny Diaz, Frangel Espinosa, Avin Herrera, Demsey Lopez, Idalis Manon, Jefferson Marte, Krisdelia Martinez, Alexander Moreta, Zuria Pantoja, Janiel Pena, Melany Pena, Kamilah Polanco, Cristely Reyes, Yeiden Reyes, Kaely Rodriguez, Paris Vargas; Completing from Ms. Sullivan’s class: Heidy Alvarado, Jonathan Angel, Jaslynn Castro, Zhanay De Los Santos, Gregory Del Rosario, Anthony Estevez, Camila Gomez, Edward Gomez, Joharis Gomez, Julio Gonzalez, Eury Guzman, Elijah Hernandez, Azya Jerez, Jasleen Lima, Jayren Lima-Agudelo, Josmiley Moya, Althea Pimentel Kent, Damian Prensa, Adelis Reyes, Kristabel Valdez.