Beacon Charter High School opened in Woonsocket in 2003.  The school offers a unique program combining college preparation with arts and business, focusing on three divisions -- visual, performing, and culinary arts. The student body at Beacon has consistently performed well on NECAP tests in reading, writing, algebra and geometry. The school has won multiple awards, including a US News and World Report Bronze medal for being on the "Best of U.S. High Schools" list for 2008. New applications are accepted and when the school is at full capacity, a lottery system is used to choose new students. The school is publicly funded and tuition free.