Program Profiles:

A typical day for the students of MassArt’s Artward Bound program consists of morning math and ELA classes, followed by an entire afternoon focused on art. This time is spent expanding the students’ skill sets, working towards finding their unique style, and building their portfolios in preparation for college applications. Aside from classes, students have the benefit of familiarizing themselves with life on a college campus and receiving individual guidance regarding their future academic and artistic endeavors. Artward Bound is a … [Read more...]

Several students scurry to the front of the classroom and quickly huddle in awe, as they watch a 3D printer begin to zig zag and build a student’s design of a keychain. Such enthusiasm is common at the Dearborn STEM Academy-Empow Studios’ Summer Learning Academy site, where 50 incoming 6th- 8th graders are immersed in computer science, STEM, ELA, and math courses this summer. This is one of 31 Summer Learning Academy sites developed in collaboration with Boston Public Schools and Boston After School & Beyond to stem summer learning … [Read more...]

The buses pull alongside Carson Beach on a sun-splashed day, and when the doors open, 40 kindergarten and 1st graders dash to the shoreline. But this isn’t your typical day at the beach. These young scientists are here to learn, not just lounge. And so begins another field learning experience for the Haynes Early Education Center-New England Aquarium partnership. This Summer Learning Academy site, one of 31 developed by Boston Public Schools and Boston After School & Beyond, focuses on helping Haynes students hone their reading, math, … [Read more...]

The Alliance for Inclusion and Prevention serves 60 youth who have been referred by their classroom teachers and school social workers to the Summer Spot to receive additional academic, emotional and social support. The Summer Spot is AIP's summer learning program that has taken place at the Frederick School for the past 12 years. This year, Summer Spot is a BPS Summer Learning Academy with a dual focus on education and social-emotional learning. Susan Lovett, the Director of Summer Spot, is a licensed clinical social worker, certified K-8 … [Read more...]

For students at the Burke Summer Learning Academy this program is “a great thing that has happened.” This summer learning academy supports sixty young men entering grades 9 and 10. For five weeks this summer, youth arrive at the Burke High School for a day of academic support, mentoring, and enrichment. This unique blend of programming aims to prepare students for school year academics, develop positive peer and adult relationships,  and become a responsible contributing member of the community. These are no easy tasks, but the dedicated … [Read more...]

On the Emmanuel College campus, situated in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston, 130 students are busy manipulating fractions, expressing algebraic equations, and examining complementary angles. It’s a typical day at the Calculus Project site for these incoming 7th, 8th, and 9th graders, who eagerly punch in numbers on their calculators to solve equations in teams. “It is so much fun,” said an incoming 8th grader from Boston Green Academy. “I know when I go back to school in the Fall, I’ll be ready.” At the Calculus Project site, … [Read more...]

Consider the following question: “If you were stranded on a deserted island, what would you do?” So begins a day at the DotHouse Health Center-Boston Public Schools (BPS) Summer Learning Academy site. There, 30 incoming 7th and incoming 8th graders are asked to response to writing prompts, such as the question above, all in an effort to help students find their creative voice and build a love for writing. Nestled along Dot Ave, the DotHouse Health Center site offers a rich array of academic and enrichment experiences for students. BPS … [Read more...]

In celebration of the completion of the 2016-17 school year, students in Community Boat Building programs and its sister program at the Haley Pilot School launched rowboats and canoes crafted during their programs in Jamaica Pond and the Fort Point Channel. During the boat launch events, students proudly showcased their boats and rowing skills to teachers, parents, and Community Boat Building staff members. Some students at the Haley School also used their boats as vehicles to spread messages of love, inclusion, and social justice, … [Read more...]

Providing affordable housing, clinical and social services, STEAM focused youth programs, college and career prep programs, and technological skill building experiences, Lena Park CDC supports its residents’ physical, financial, and mental well-being while expanding their access to 21st century technology and STEAM education. “The mission is to serve the community and provide affordable housing,” says Andrea Kaiser, Executive Director of Lena Park CDC. “When we reopened, we voted to make STEAM learning and workforce opportunities a priority. … [Read more...]

Connecting students from the James P. Timilty Middle School with mentors from Massachusetts General Hospital, The MGH Science Fair Mentor Program allows students to form strong, personal relationships with STEM mentors, helping them broaden their interest and awareness of STEM fields and learn about scientific inquiry while working to complete strong science fair projects. “One of the mentors’ biggest roles is to expose students to new horizons in science,” says Arthur Newbould, the program’s coordinator. “Students may come in knowing that … [Read more...]