Ben Cruse
North Star Fellowship, 2025
Libertas Academy Charter School
Libertas Academy Charter School (Libertas), located in Springfield, Massachusetts, is rooted in an achievement-oriented culture that balances high expectations with the joy of learning and a deep commitment to character development. Libertas Academy consistently outperforms its district and is now on par with Massachusetts state outcomes in math and ELA.
Ben Cruse, Chief of Schools at Libertas, has led the turnaround of the organization from a school in the 6th percentile in the state to the 60th percentile. He joins the fellowship with 15 years of experience in teaching and leadership, including founding and leading high-performing schools in the U.S. and abroad.