Page 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, AUGUST 29, 2025 Pioneer Charter School of Science I & II earn top 10 Rankings in Mass. PCSS ii ranks #7 and PCSS i ranks #10 among best high schools in the Commonwealth P ioneer Charter School of Science, a college prep charter school network with campuses in Everett and Saugus, was proud to announce that both of its schools have been recognized among the top 10 best high schools by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025 rankings. PCSS II (Saugus) was ranked #7 in the state while PCSS I (Everett) came in at #10, placing both campuses among the top-performing high schools out of hundreds across the Commonwealth. Both campuses were ranked highly for their graduation rates, participation in Advanced Placement (AP) classes, AP exam scores and MCAS exam scores. “These results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, and families,” said PCSS CEO Barish Icin. “We are honored by this recognition and remain committed to preyond. Last year about 90% of graduates chose to attend four-year institutions: Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston University, Cornell University, Harvey Mudd College and more. For more information on the rankings, visit: https:// www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/massachusetts/rankings About Pioneer Charter School of Science PCSS is a rigorous college Pioneer Charter School of Science II’s Class of 2025 paring our students for success in college and beyond.” U.S. News & World Report evaluates schools based on multiple indicators of academic success, including college readiness, state assessment performance, underserved student performance, and graduation rates. With Massachusetts having one of the most competitive public education systems in the country, this achievement is Come sing with Polymnia Choral Society! It’s easy to join! D o you enjoy singing and meeting interesting people? Polymnia Choral Society is looking for singers of all skill levels. For more than 70 years, Polymnia has been entertaining audiences with performances that include pieces from a wide variety of musical styles: classical, pop, musical theater and more. Come join a community of more than 60 members who love to sing and have fun! We welcome participants from all over Massachusetts. Currently, we have members from Melrose, Malden, Wakefield, Stoneham, Saugus, Acton and Hamilton. Our concert season runs from September until June. Polymnia rehearses every Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m., starting this year on September 2, at Melrose Highlands Congregational Church (355 Franklin St.). Come to any rehearsal and introduce yourself to Music Librarian Pam Ross, President Steve Francis or Vice President David Hammond. The 2025-2026 season is not to be missed! On December 6, Polymnia performs “Patterns in the Snow,” a wintry-themed concert featuring holiday favorites with enduring and uplifting music that warms the spirit. On March 7, 2026, Polymnia presents “An American Quilt,” highlighting the rich artistic and cultural heritage of our country in celebration of its 250th birthday. On June 6, 2026, “Polymnia Goes to Broadway” and will perform hit songs from popular past and present Broadway musicals. Come join the fun in singing in one or all three of these concerts! All singers are welcome. For more information about joining Polymnia, visit https:// polymnia.org/how-to-join/ or call Polymnia Board of Directors President Steve Francis at 617-633-5006. Accessibility Information: An ADA-compliant ramp is located on the West Highland Avenue entrance of Melrose Highlands Congregational Church, between Ashland Street and Chipman Avenue. Any accessibility questions, requests or concerns can be emailed to accessibility@polymnia.org. Mark your calendars! Polymnia will be performing “Patterns in the Snow” at 7:30 p.m. on December 6, 2025, at St. Mary of the Annunciation Church (4 Herbert St. in Melrose). particularly noteworthy. A school with high academic standards and expectations, PCSS frequently sends its students to the best colleges and universities in Massachusetts and beSCAM ALERT | FROM PAGE 11 when renewing your passport. Processing times for passport renewals can change often. In addition to the indicated processing times, you should also consider the time it takes for your passport to arrive at the passport agency and then be mailed back to your home address. Check state.gov to see current processing times and plan ahead. Giving yourself plenty of time might reduce your likelihood of searching for quicker options, some of which could be scams. You can expedite your passport renewal with the U.S. government for an extra fee, but it might take several weeks. · Confirm the website’s URL before providing sensitive information. It can be easy to click on an impostor website without noticing. Sometimes the sponsored ads at the top of your search results can lead to these fake sites. Don’t always click on the first webpreparatory charter school that aims to prepare educationally under-resourced students for today’s competitive world. PCSS I, which is located in Everett, serves students in Grades K through 12 from several communities north of Boston: Everett, Chelsea and Revere. PCSS II, which is located in Saugus, serves students in Grades K through 12 from Saugus, Salem, Peabody, Lynn and Danvers. site you see. Remember, government websites end in .gov, but always take a closer look. Scammers can trick you into thinking URLs look legitimate when they aren’t. Before typing in sensitive information, check that the website and link are secure. Learn more about identifying fake websites: https://www.bbb.org/ all/spot-a-scam/how-to-identify-a-fake-website · Be wary of third-party websites. There are legitimate passport assistance services, but check with BBB.org and BBB Scam Tracker first to ensure you aren’t sharing your personal or financial information with a scammer. For more information Are you traveling soon? BBB can help you prepare with tips (https://www.bbb.org/all/travel) and watch out for similar scams involving Trusted Traveler programs like TSA Precheck, Global Entry and NEXUS.
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