When you are finished changing, you are finished.When you are finished changing, you are finished.Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin

KEEP ON REACHINGKEEP ON REACHING

Carlos Rivera Class 2005

  

History

Autonomy

Change is an adventureChange is an adventure

  

HISTORYHISTORY

Spring 2000 to 2001: Boston High School (BHS) declared one of the lowest performing schools.

November 2001: Superintendent recommends closing Boston High.

June 5, 2002: School Committee approves conversion of BHS to a pilot school.

September 2002: BCLA is born.

SY 02- 03: Transitional year; 22 new staff joined BCLA.

Sept 2004: BLCA moves to Brighton.

Our school has autonomy over:

Curriculum

Schedule

Governance structure

Budget

Staffing

PrioritiesPriorities Vision driven and shared values

BCLA Core values BCLA Habits of Leaders

Small and Nurturing: Student support Teacher to student ration is 1:20 Advisory

High Expectations for ALL students Assessment by exhibition Promotion by portfolio defense

Collaborative culture and shared leadership Structure Professional Development

SUCCESSESSUCCESSES

Student achievementStudent achievement

MCAS (moved from 40% to 85% passing) MCAS (moved from 40% to 85% passing) AP Offerings (0 offerings to 5 AP courses) AP Offerings (0 offerings to 5 AP courses) College acceptance (From 67% to 95%) (from2 year College acceptance (From 67% to 95%) (from2 year

college to Ivy League)college to Ivy League)

Suspension Suspension Down from 200 suspensions/yr to 50/yrDown from 200 suspensions/yr to 50/yr

Attendance rateAttendance rate From 83% to 94%From 83% to 94%

Shared LeadershipShared Leadership Governing BoardGoverning Board

Work AgreementWork Agreement

Budget approvalBudget approvalFundraisingFundraising

Evaluation of HeadmasterEvaluation of Headmaster

Leadership TeamLeadership TeamPromotion and Graduation RequirementsPromotion and Graduation RequirementsDaily ScheduleDaily ScheduleProfessional DevelopmentProfessional Development

Student VoiceStudent VoiceStudents Working All Together (SWAT)Students Working All Together (SWAT)Step TeamStep TeamEngineering ClubEngineering ClubWinter School (Juniors & Seniors)Winter School (Juniors & Seniors)

Choose a school that respects your priorities

Publicly financed and accessible

Racially and ethnically diverse student body

Rigorous college preparatory curriculum

Participatory decision-making and leadership opportunities

Advisory/Guidance Strong student

support

  

Why conversion to pilot school?

For Staff:Teach in a school that shares your valuesUnion protections and benefitsSmall class size in a small schoolGenuine and self-crafted professional developmentParticipatory decision-making and leadership opportunities

For Students:

ChallengesFor Students: How to succeed with a

rigorous curriculum?

How to benefit from an increasing number of AP classes?

How to learn from authentic assessment protocols?

How to demonstrate leadership?

How to effectively participate in school governance?

For Teachers: How to deliver a rigorous curriculum to ALL students?

How to increase productivity and accountability?

How to guide diverse learners to success with authentic assessments?

How to clarify roles and communication within school governance?

How to crystallize and embed Leadership/HOL across the curriculum?

How to raise funds to maintain the same level of services?

Leadership in actionLeadership in action

DOES SCHOOL REFORM MEAN:Gradual change for the better? To reinvent and transform?