College Planning do it yourselfers (with some support from the college planning team…)
College-Bound: The Springfield Renaissance School Announces 100 Percent of Graduating Class Accepted to College
Students step out of the rubble of devastating tornado to accept their diplomas and help rebuild their city
SPRINGFIELD, MA. (June 6, 2011) –For the 2nd year in a row, 100% of The Springfield Renaissance School’s graduates have been accepted to college. The school, part of a nation-wide network of Expeditionary Learning schools, will maintain its perfect college acceptance record with it second graduating class – the school opened in 2006.
Staying true to the school’s mascot of the Phoenix, seniors went to school last Friday to practice for Monday night’s ceremony, despite the fact that Springfield Public Schools were closed for two days following the devastating tornado that ripped through the city on Wednesday. Several seniors were sleepless after spending more than 48 hours helping to clean up their neighborhoods. Seniors Robin Dilone and Hector Carrasquillo were boarding up buildings destroyed by the tornado and completing Red Cross paperwork before they arrived at school for graduation practice. These young men were not alone in their effort. Hundreds of the Renaissance students responded to a Facebook call to action to assist those in need. Springfield Renaissance School principal, Dr. Stephen Mahoney, states, “Our students’ academic achievements have re-established the concept of ‘citizen-scholars’. Like the Phoenix emerging from the ashes, our city can show the world that no matter how bleak and desperate things appear, there is always hope and opportunity. Their instinct to make a difference in the face of adversity is something that I’m especially proud of. It gives me tremendous hope for the future of our city, our state, and our nation.”
The school’s 75 seniors have been admitted into both two and four year colleges, and have been awarded 2.0 million dollars in scholarships and grants. More than 70 colleges or universities have admitted Renaissance students. The schools include UMass Amherst, Brandeis University, Northeastern University, Catholic University, Westfield State University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Springfield College, among others.
During the months November through May, Dr. Mahoney called off seniors’ names as they received their first admissions letters. The school’s college admissions ‘graffiti wall’ is littered with the signature of each college-bound senior, along with pictures and admissions letters. This, along with a motley assortment of hand made posters, deck the school’s hallways to congratulate the seniors each time they are admitted to a college. The college-bound culture at The Springfield Renaissance School is unmistakable.
The students at The Springfield Renaissance School study a rigorous college prep curriculum where they delve deeply into core content during ‘learning expeditions’, which are in-depth studies that often span an entire semester. In all learning at the school, there is a focus on critical thinking, problem solving, and strong habits of work.
Graduation is Monday,June 6th at 6 pm in Symphony Hall in Springfield, MA.
About The Springfield Renaissance School
“Our school’s mission is to provide a rigorous academic program for college-bound students in a small, personalized setting that impels and supports students to use their minds well, to care for themselves and others, and to rise to the challenges and duties of citizenship”.
About Expeditionary Learning
Expeditionary Learning partners with school districts and charter boards to open new schools and transform existing schools at all levels, pre-K-12, and in all settings – urban, rural, and suburban. The EL model challenges students to think critically and to take active roles in their classrooms and communities, resulting in higher achievement and greater engagement in school. The national network of EL schools and professional colleagues includes 165 schools, 4,000 teachers, and 45,000 students.
College-Bound: The Springfield Renaissance School Announces 100 Percent of Graduating Class Accepted to College
Students step out of the rubble of devastating tornado to accept their diplomas and help rebuild their city
SPRINGFIELD, MA. (June 6, 2011) –For the 2nd year in a row, 100% of The Springfield Renaissance School’s graduates have been accepted to college. The school, part of a nation-wide network of Expeditionary Learning schools, will maintain its perfect college acceptance record with it second graduating class – the school opened in 2006.
Staying true to the school’s mascot of the Phoenix, seniors went to school last Friday to practice for Monday night’s ceremony, despite the fact that Springfield Public Schools were closed for two days following the devastating tornado that ripped through the city on Wednesday. Several seniors were sleepless after spending more than 48 hours helping to clean up their neighborhoods. Seniors Robin Dilone and Hector Carrasquillo were boarding up buildings destroyed by the tornado and completing Red Cross paperwork before they arrived at school for graduation practice. These young men were not alone in their effort. Hundreds of the Renaissance students responded to a Facebook call to action to assist those in need. Springfield Renaissance School principal, Dr. Stephen Mahoney, states, “Our students’ academic achievements have re-established the concept of ‘citizen-scholars’. Like the Phoenix emerging from the ashes, our city can show the world that no matter how bleak and desperate things appear, there is always hope and opportunity. Their instinct to make a difference in the face of adversity is something that I’m especially proud of. It gives me tremendous hope for the future of our city, our state, and our nation.”
The school’s 75 seniors have been admitted into both two and four year colleges, and have been awarded 2.0 million dollars in scholarships and grants. More than 70 colleges or universities have admitted Renaissance students. The schools include UMass Amherst, Brandeis University, Northeastern University, Catholic University, Westfield State University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Springfield College, among others.
During the months November through May, Dr. Mahoney called off seniors’ names as they received their first admissions letters. The school’s college admissions ‘graffiti wall’ is littered with the signature of each college-bound senior, along with pictures and admissions letters. This, along with a motley assortment of hand made posters, deck the school’s hallways to congratulate the seniors each time they are admitted to a college. The college-bound culture at The Springfield Renaissance School is unmistakable.
The students at The Springfield Renaissance School study a rigorous college prep curriculum where they delve deeply into core content during ‘learning expeditions’, which are in-depth studies that often span an entire semester. In all learning at the school, there is a focus on critical thinking, problem solving, and strong habits of work.
Graduation is Monday,June 6th at 6 pm in Symphony Hall in Springfield, MA.
About The Springfield Renaissance School
“Our school’s mission is to provide a rigorous academic program for college-bound students in a small, personalized setting that impels and supports students to use their minds well, to care for themselves and others, and to rise to the challenges and duties of citizenship”.
About Expeditionary Learning
Expeditionary Learning partners with school districts and charter boards to open new schools and transform existing schools at all levels, pre-K-12, and in all settings – urban, rural, and suburban. The EL model challenges students to think critically and to take active roles in their classrooms and communities, resulting in higher achievement and greater engagement in school. The national network of EL schools and professional colleagues includes 165 schools, 4,000 teachers, and 45,000 students.
The College Road Trip Never Ends