Beacon Academy

CONTACT:

477 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
617-233-3022
www.beaconacademy.org

Cindy Laba, Founder, Head of School

DESCRIPTION:

This is the only school of its kind—but others may wish to follow its example. Cindy Laba, a trained social worker and charter high school administrator, noticed that a high proportion of entering charter-school students were not ready for high school work, failed at least one course, and needed five years to prepare adequately for college. Why not create a special school to provide a “catch-up” year between 8th and 9th grade, with success as the result rather than failure? So in 2004 she and Marsha Feinberg, a colleague, recruited 100 supporters from various fields, and together they created Beacon Academy. Beacon offers a rigorous 14-month curriculum; incoming students are two years behind private-school counterparts in math and English, and lack appropriate social, political, and cultural experience. In their Beacon year, with 4 faculty and 50 volunteers, they read eight novels, learn to write persuasive essays, master pre-algebra and algebra, discuss politics, religion, and current events, receive MFA training in observation, do community service, physical exercise and learn nutrition, talk with professionals in many fields, attend quality arts performances, train for competitive admissions and visit prospective schools. In four years, 95% of graduates are enrolled in leading private high schools with over $3 million of financial support. You can join in their success.

(2008: CULTURE: Education: Formal: Schools)