Excel Academy Charter Schools-a network of tuition free, public middle schools serving East Boston, Chelsea, and the surrounding communities-was conceived to address the severe academic underperformance and low college matriculation rates of the student populations in these neighborhoods. We envisioned a free, public school alternative where all students would be held to the highest academic and behavioral expectations and college would become a realistic goal. The network's first school opened in fall 2003 and now serves 224 young scholars, grades 5 through 8. Excel Academy-Chelsea, the 2nd school in the network, opened in August 2011. Our third school, Excel Academy - Orient Heights opened in August of 2012. Each school will serve 224 students in grades 5-8 when fully enrolled. Excel plans to open a high school in Fall 2015.