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Local News Local residents proposing new charter school in Ashby

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https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2026/07/17/local-residents-proposing-new-charter-school-in-ashby/

When the North Middlesex Regional School District closed Ashby Elementary School, a longtime cornerstone of the community, many residents were left disappointed about the loss of a local educational resource.

Therefore, a group of concerned local residents are proposing a new charter school, the Ashby Evergreen Charter School.

Massachusetts law allows communities to propose charter schools when there is a demonstrated educational need. In Ashby, organizers say that need has become increasingly evident. Since the elementary school closure, families have pursued alternatives, including homeschooling.

Two homeschool groups now meet regularly at the Ashby Free Public Library, with one serving more than 50 students — which organizers say is evidence of the demand for additional educational options.

A group of parents and residents from Ashby and neighboring communities, including Fitchburg, Townsend, and Pepperell, has formed the Ashby Community Collaborative to develop a proposal for a new charter school. The group is creating a vision inspired by the Finnish forest school model, emphasizing outdoor learning, hands-on experiences, and allowing students to progress at their own pace.

Ashby’s history is defined by resilience — what the Finnish call sisu, a quiet determination and perseverance in the face of challenges. That spirit has inspired residents to envision a new model for public education in their town.
The proposed school would combine experiential education with strong academics, focusing on independence, confidence, problem-solving, and personal growth.

Organizers believe the approach can address some challenges they see in traditional schooling, including limited outdoor time, reduced movement, and a one-size-fits-all learning model.

Ashby resident and elementary school teacher Karen Cochrane said she is excited about the possibilities.

“I believe all children can benefit from more movement, greater autonomy in their day, and deeper personal connection, and that many thrive in the environment our new charter school seeks to provide,” Cochrane said. “Our community deserves the opportunity to offer something different to families, while also bringing life back to our beloved elementary school.”

Parents from surrounding towns have also expressed enthusiasm for the proposed model.

“We’re new to Massachusetts and are so excited to find a school, even one just in the early stages of being created, that aligns so well with our values and how we want our son to learn, grow, and interact with education,” said a Pepperell parent involved with the Collaborative. “The whole initiative gives a sense of hope for the future of our children and of being part of something bigger than ourselves.”

The group is currently preparing a charter application for the proposed Ashby Evergreen Charter School (AES). If approved, the school could open as early as September 2027, beginning with kindergarten through fourth grade and eventually expanding to serve grades K-8.

The name reflects the vision behind the school. Ashby Librarian and Ashby Community Collaborative co-founder Heather Brodie Perry said evergreens represent the strength and perseverance the community hopes to inspire.
“Evergreens remain green throughout every season. They bend but do not break. They withstand storms, harsh weather, and difficult conditions with quiet strength and resilience,” Perry said. “That felt like the perfect image for both Ashby and the kind of educational experience we hope to create.”

Community involvement remains central to the effort. Residents are encouraged to attend upcoming information meetings, learn more about the proposal, and participate in shaping the school’s future.

Meetings are planned for 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at Fitchburg Public Library, 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 108; and at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 28 and Thursday, July 30, at Townsend Public Library, 12 Dudley Road.

Updates are available at sisuashby.substack.com, on Facebook at Ashby Evergreen, and at ashbyevergreen.org, where residents can also join the mailing list.

For Ashby, the effort represents more than creating a new school – it reflects a community determined to invest in its children, preserve its values, and build a future rooted in resilience.