First Ladies of the Renaissance WOW!
On Friday, March 30, I was lucky enough to be invited to the Second Annual Breakfast with the First Ladies of the Boston Renaissance Charter Public School. What a treat! The First Ladies are part of the Voices of Renaissance Choir, which has performed at the White House several times. It began when a group of girls charged gender discrimination because a mentoring program had been started for boys – The Young Kings (a very handsome group of youngsters in their black suits and gold bow ties!). The school readily supported these young feminists and they chose the name “The First Ladies” for their group, which voluntarily meets on Wednesdays and Fridays at 7:25 a.m. before school.
The breakfast program began with a performance by The Young Kings and the First Ladies of the Renaissance. Here is what I saw:
- JOY – These students seemed genuinely happy to be at school and truly enjoying their performance. They were confident (and deserved to be since they were so obviously well-prepared), enthusiastic and all were participating.
- DISCIPLINE – I couldn’t but help observe the self control these students demonstrated as they stood quietly yet attentively waiting for the “grown up” first ladies to be seated and settle down. There wasn’t the usual class joker poking his neighbor or the girl who can’t keep her hands off the hair adornments of her friend. These youngsters clearly showed that they were responsible for themselves and could behave appropriately – perhaps even more seriously than the adults.
- EXCELLENCE – I’ve sat through many school performances as my own children went through school, but rarely have I heard such high quality music – especially from elementary-aged kids. The choices for the orations were also clearly sending these children a strong message about their own abilities and value. Their practice and dedication was evident! Listen for yourself!
- ACCOMPLISHMENT – These students had mastered every song and recitation. Their training and performance skills were in evidence when young man had a temporary lapse of memory and needed a moment to recall his lines, managing to do so with dignity and charm.
Talking with Sarah - a First Lady of the Renaissance
After a short slide show of inspiring photos of women trailblazers in a cross-section of professions and pursuits, it was time for one-on-one mentoring with a student. I was matched with Sarah, a 4th grader who wants to be a lawyer because she “cares about what is fair”. She loves to read and we discussed books and annoying little brothers, as well as appropriate April Fools’ pranks. I found her delightful and brimming with energy and self-assurance. Her manners were also impeccable!
Massachusetts First Lady Diane Patrick then addressed the girls, letting them know that she didn’t always feel comfortable speaking in front of an audience of the size assembled and didn’t always have high self esteem herself. Her inspiring message resonated with the attentive crowd and affirmed the message that the girls had recited earlier: “… And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
As I watched the bright shining smiles of young ladies around me, and listened to the awe-inspiring songs and recitations, it renewed my commitment to MBAE’s mission to make sure that all of our children are given the opportunities to pursue their dreams and realize their full potential by receiving the high quality education these students are getting at the Boston Renaissance Public Charter School.
Top MA High Schools Preparing Students for College and Career
In a Washington Post ranking of public high schools that most effectively prepare students for college, the schools ranked #1 and #2 in Massachusetts were both charter schools. Sturgis Charter Public School in Hyannis came in first in Massachusetts and fourth in the Northeast region. MATCH Charter Public High School in Boston ranked second in the state and seventh in the region overall. Four Massachusetts charter schools ranked in the top eight high schools in the state.
The rankings were determined using a simple formula — divide the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or other college-level tests a school gave in 2010 by the number of graduating seniors. According to the Post’s Jay Matthews who conducts the ranking, the rating can reveal the level of a high school’s commitment to preparing average students for college.
This is a strong showing for the charter public schools (considering they make up a very small percentage of high schools in the state) and another argument for raising the cap. Charter schools consistently set high standards for even the most disadvantaged students. All schools must follow suit.
Preparing students for college is a critical goal. A report from the New England Journal of Higher Education projects that 68% of all jobs in Massachusetts will require a postsecondary education by 2018. Yet, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reports that more than 1/3 of students entering Massachusetts public colleges have to take at least one remedial course in college. Those students have a significantly greater likelihood of not completing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
There is a lot that schools should be doing to ensure that students graduate prepared for success in college and career. One thing all high schools should do is make MassCore, the work and college readiness curriculum, a minimum graduation requirement. All students should have access to rigorous coursework.
Boston Renaissance Inspires
MBAE Board Members and staff were treated to an inspiring tour of the Boston Renaissance Charter Public School recently that reminded me of why it is so critical to extend these unique educational opportunities to more students and their families.
The largest public elementary school in Boston, Renaissance offers a high quality education to 1,100 pre-kindergarten to 6th grade students. Ninety-six percent of Renaissance students are African American and Latino and more than 70% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. It ranks seventh out of 82 elementary schools in Boston, many of which are one quarter its size.
The School’s success is the result of a combination of factors that define many of the state’s best charter public schools. A dynamic school superintendent leads a deeply committed staff that brings innovative new resources and programs to the school. Staff focuses on academic achievement but also on student confidence and character. Its full service approach to learning includes an on-site vision, dental and health center that helps to break down barriers to learning that exist for too many disadvantaged students. Instructional technology programs, led by a former teacher from Tech Boston Academy (the school recently made famous by a visit from President Obama), are a central focus of the school and lead to better preparedness for the 21st century economy. Visual and performing arts are an integral part of each student’s school day, encouraging students to develop their minds and bodies. A beautiful new facility and campus provide the environment for serious learning.
Boston Renaissance and other charter schools provide valuable opportunities to students from the most vulnerable neighborhoods. The flexibility with which charter schools operate has allowed them to challenge old ways of doing things and develop new pathways for success. The legislature and the Governor should be applauded for passing An Act Relative to the Achievement Gap last year which raised the cap on the number of charter schools operating in the state’s poorest performing districts. Yet, with the recent Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approval of 16 new charter schools many of the new seats will soon be filled. What happens to the thousands of students who didn’t get a spot? Many of them will remain trapped in underperforming schools.
A visit to Boston Renaissance Charter Public School reminds one of the critical impact that a valuable educational opportunity can have on a young person’s life. MBAE supports making these opportunities available to more children through high quality charters and to all children through excellent public schools of all kinds.
