Executive Summary
New Bedford Leadership Academy (NBLA) is a highly collaborative teacher-led autonomous small school set within a reserved area of the existing New Bedford High School facility located at 230 Hathaway Boulevard in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Our education community is comprised of 12 professional educators supporting 125 students, 75% of whom meet several at-risk indicators.
Currently New Bedford High School (NBHS) is experiencing academic, financial and behavioral challenges which directly impact student population, faculty, and the entire NBHS community. NBHS suffers from a high dropout rate, large numbers of failure in core subjects, low MCAS scores, and fails to meet average yearly progress goals in Math, English Language Arts, and attendance. In 2009, New Bedford High School was deemed chronically underperforming. Although these challenges are deeply entrenched and wide in scope, its designers believe the NBLA is the first essential step toward positive, long term change.
The mission of NBLA is to lead all students to academic proficiency by 2014. The proposed academy will accomplish its mission by involving stakeholders in providing the supports students require in order to realize individual potential. NBLA will be an appropriately sized SLC providing personalized instruction and leadership skills training in an academically challenging and innovative learning environment. Educators will be selected from those applicants who possess the knowledge, skills, and values required to achieve NBLA’s vision and mission. Enrolled students will reach personal and academic potential as a result of the academy’s emphasis on holistic instruction and creating a supportive college bound culture which prepares students to lead effectively in the 21st century.
NBLA curriculum and instruction will employ integrated, inquiry-based, and constructivist strategies delivering substantially relevant content across disciplines. Students will collaboratively network, lead by example, take initiative, demonstrate entrepreneurship, and gather and analyze information. Development of higher level, critical thinking and real-world problem solving will be an integral part of planning and facilitating lessons. Standards-based instructional systems will be fully integrated in delivering and assessing classroom learning. Daily lessons, activities and projects of all classes will thoroughly integrate leadership skills and values. Specific leadership strands; law and criminal justice, education, business, politics, health, and community-activism will inspire student internships, graduation portfolio projects, and community partnerships. Recognizing that student’s needs are not always supported in full block classes, the NBLA will offer six blocks with 60 minutes per block. Students will have an advising leadership block each day to facilitate leadership electives with the assistance of a staff advisor.
The NBLA applicant group is composed of teachers, administrators and community leaders who recognize the critical need for change and are committed to the success of the proposed academy. The applicant group’s collective vision is one founded on practical teaching experience, demonstrated commitment to design and execution of NBLA mission, and adherence to progressive, research-based education. Members of the applicant group consistently strive to make a positive impact on the lives of students and express a genuine passion to lead the NBLA school community toward excellence.
Members of the applicant group are certified by the state of Massachusetts in respective content areas and, in some cases, possess dual licensure as well as having experience teaching students with diverse backgrounds and academic abilities. All members of the group are loyal to the New Bedford community and demonstrate personal interest and commitment to improving the lives of our students. NBLA design and implementation required an enormous amount of time and energy be exerted by each applicant. Compensation for time spent in accomplishing design team goals and meeting specific deadlines went beyond budget allowances. Consequently, applicant members willingly volunteered additional time and energy to complete necessary tasks of research, proposal development, and NBLA advocacy activities.
Design work has been rewarding and all applicants express sincere commitment toward realization of NBLA mission and vision. Enthusiasm has been building for several months and applicants anxiously anticipate the September, 2010 NBLA ribbon cutting. In the mean time, applicants recognize the labor of love that lies ahead. The NBLA prospectus provides substantial evidence of design team capacity and commitment to achieving the NBLA mission in its entirety.
Read the whole prospectus here. Thanks, and please post any questions, comments or suggestions here.
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