City School

CONTACT:

614 Columbia Rd.
Dorchester, MA 02125
617-822-3075, x15
www.thecityschool.org

Miriam Messinger, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

TCS was founded in 1995 by the Cathedral High School, Boston Latin School and Milton Academy, in response to student interest in urban social problems. It began with “community service immersions" focusing on poverty and homelessness, and expanded from there to discussions with prisoners, intensive seven-week summer programs in community service, and even an alumni program; how many high schools do you know that have alumni demand for further instruction? Since it began, TCS has organized 67 community service weekends, 8 summer sessions, and 60 prison colloquia, for over 2,000 students; in 2002, it served 425 students aged 14-18, with 30% re-enrollments and increasing demand! One of the benefits is that students from very diverse backgrounds come together to learn about urban issues in real-life situations. Another, of course, is that these students are learning about philanthropy first-hand, through partnerships the program has made with over 40 grassroots organizations and their professional staffs. Here is a real eye-opener for young people; wouldn’t you like to share its pride of accomplishment?

(2003: CULTURE: Education: Formal: School-Related)