Atlantis Charter School of Fall River Kicks off Capital Fundraising Campaign

FALL RIVER, Mass., Dec. 06, 2017 -- Atlantis Charter School of Fall River, Massachusetts is announcing the launch of its $2.5 million capital fundraising campaign. The money raised will go toward the construction of a new $35 million, state-of-the-art campus along South Watuppa Pond and the development of Atlantis’ five career academies. To kick off the campaign, BankFive has donated $100,000.

“Education is one of the greatest investments we can make in our children and our community. We are proud of our role as a trusted community bank and dedicated to providing financial support to the local community through donations that enrich schools and other organizations that serve low- and moderate-income households. With this gift, Atlantis can advance a new and exciting model of education designed to bridge the skills gap and prepare students for successful careers,” said William R. Eccles, Jr., President and CEO at BankFive.

“At Atlantis, we are committed to providing students with an education second to none. BankFive’s generous donation will help fund our new home for inspired learning: a place where all students have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in our fast-changing, global economy,” said Robert Beatty, Executive Director at Atlantis Charter School. 

Atlantis’ 98,000-square-foot, waterfront campus, due to be completed in Spring of 2018, will feature two wings of classrooms equipped with modern technology, a new gymnasium, an outdoor athletic complex and lots of open space. The new complex will also house Atlantis’ innovative career academies, which were launched in 2016 in collaboration with strategic industry and higher education partners to help students learn how to think creatively, solve real-world business challenges, and gain hands-on experience necessary for future career success. The academies include:

• Business and Entrepreneurship
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math)
• Arts, Culture & Design
• Teacher Development
• Health, Med-Tech & Sports Medicine

“Atlantis already ranks among the highest-performing charter schools in the Commonwealth, despite the poor conditions of current facilities. Some buildings are rundown, and we have classrooms in stagnant basements, with no windows or walls to properly separate workspaces,” said Michael Lauro, Associate Executive Director at Atlantis Charter School. “Our new facility embraces the modern, open office concept. It will be large, filled with natural sunlight and surrounded by green landscapes, trees and water to optimize every students’ potential and allow their minds to thrive.”

Atlantis is offering donors numerous ways to contribute to its capital campaign, including naming opportunities for classrooms, buildings and indoor/outdoor space, such as sitting areas along the waterfront.  Beyond raising money for the new facilities, Atlantis is also seeking support for its academy and other academic programs. Funding will be used to improve technology, expand after-school arts and athletic activities, enhance summer programming, and expand community partnerships for students.

Anyone interested in making a contribution in any amount is encouraged to call Atlantis directly at 508-235-4032. Donors can also give directly by visiting the Atlantis website at www.atlantiscs.org.

About Atlantis Charter School
Atlantis Charter School, based in Fall River, Massachusetts, is a leading public charter school that serves nearly 1,400 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across the SouthCoas region. Its mission is to provide students with an education second to none, yielding life-long academic excellence and learning skills. Founded in 1995, Atlantis was one of the first charter schools in Massachusetts. It is now one of the largest, consistently ranking among the highest-performing public charter schools in the Commonwealth. The high school is frequently recognized for its ground-breaking career academies which were developed in partnership with industry and higher education to prepare an educated 21^st century workforce and drive economic development.

About BankFive
Since 1855, BankFive has been serving the communities of the SouthCoast with a steadfast commitment to provide local individuals, families and businesses with outstanding products and services designed to meet their financial needs. With 15 offices conveniently located throughout the SouthCoast, BankFive is one of the top regional banks in Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.bankfive.com.

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