About Us
School History


Henry M. Thomas III, Pres. of the Urban League of Springfield decided to take the Urban League's educational agenda to a larger scale in 1998. Governor Cellucci announcement he was going to raise the Charter School cap and allow 13 new Charter Schools in the Commonwealth. Mr. Thomas approached the Ma. Army National Guard to secure their participation in a charter school license application. His intent was to create a middle and High School that was centered on a rigorous academic, character and leadership development experience. therein comes the Name, New Leadership Charter School. Thomas believed that there would be 6 core values that should drive NLCS's success. they are:
 
1.high expectations
2.parent engagement
3.effective board and administrative leadership
4.effective teaching and learning strategies
5.effective student effort and preparation
6.effective community partnerships

The organizing board and proposal team thought it would be strategically better to apply for a Horace Mann Charter because the school would look more like a conventional Public School, therefore they foresaw less union resistance and more opportunities of for dissemination of best practices.
The organizing team members were, Henry M. Thomas III, Judy Matt, Col. Ronald Sena, Gen. John Mullin, Charles Rucks, Dr. Steven Armstrong, Adjutant General Raymond A. Vezina.


Leadership Principles
1.   Know yourself and seek self-improvement.
2.   Strive for knowledge and learn the facts.
3.   Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions.
4.   Make sound and timely decisions.
5.   Set a good example.
6.   Know your peers. Look out for their safety, and help them develop a sense of responsibility.
7.   Keep your family informed.
8.   Ensure that you understand the task, finish it, and ask for feedback.
9.   Build positive relationships with team spirit.
10. Step up to the challenge. Use your skills and talents wisely.