Today, we submitted our proposal for the New Bedford High School Leadership Academy to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Begun as a pilot project for our school’s restructuring efforts, the new school-within-a-school will be developed through out the 2009-2010 school year. It’s projected opening is September 2010.
This mandate from the Governor’s Executive Office of Education (used to design this academy) is to create a school with flexibility and autonomy in the following areas: curriculum, scheduling, staffing, budget and other district policies. Our team (Donna, Isaiah, Bernadette, Richard, Nick, Sandra, Dennis and I) met throughout the summer to examine how we can build a school that prepares students to become scholars ready to lead in the 21st century. We examined shared facility use, behavioral philosophies, professional development, admission criteria, an innovative, integrated curriculum, a thematic focus on leadership, engaged and engaging partnerships, active and proactive stakeholder engagement and more.
In the coming weeks, we will begin talking to students, parents, community members and more in order to sit and listen to feedback concerning our proposal. The process ahead will now be focused on meeting the requirements of the approval process as well as laying the foundation for the incredible amount of work ahead in the current school year. Wish us luck.
About Administrator
