Proposed Andover Charter School One Step Closer to Reality

The proposed STEAM Studio Charter High School had advanced to the next round of the state application application process.

This allows the organizers of STEAM to submit a full application, due Oct. 25.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will then evaluate the applications along experts in education, business, law and organizational structure.

The state will also hold public hearings in Andover for residents to ask questions and raise concerns.

The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will vote on new charter schools in February 2014.

Ten proposals for charter schools were submitted, and seven were selected to move on to the next round.

STEAM" stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Design, and Mathematics. Andover resident and School Committee member David Birnbach is spearheading the idea and hopes to have the school open next September.

Birnbach and his team of educators and technology and health sciences experts have submitted a proposal to the Massachusetts Department of Education for a new charter school for high school students, and he's spoken with Andover's superintendent, principals and School Committee.