SCAM ALERT!!! Do not pay to work with College Admissions Assistance. You get that advice FREE at Renaissance! http://ow.ly/1x17We
Western New England College (University, now!)
Sunday, September 18th 4-6 pm
http://www1.wne.edu/admissions/index.cfm?selection=doc.1423
Mass. Gov. Patrick Visits Springfield’s First Innovation School – Welcomes Students Back
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. /Massachusetts Newswire/ — Mass. Governor Deval Patrick today welcomed students back to school at the Springfield Renaissance School, the city’s first Innovation School, which provides a personalized approach to helping each student succeed, while promoting college readiness.
“Innovation Schools give local communities the tools to close achievement gaps and create an environment where every student can access a high quality education,” said Governor Patrick. “I welcome students back to school and thank the team at the Springfield Renaissance School for leading the way forward on educational innovation.”
The Springfield Renaissance School is an expeditionary learning school serving grades 6-12 and focuses on active, interdisciplinary learning. It has been approved as a cost-neutral innovation school by the Springfield School Committee. For the past two years, the school has had a 100 percent college acceptance track record for its senior class. With 58 percent of its students reported as low income and 73 percent reported as students of color, the school has been successful in closing achievement gaps and supporting its diverse student population’s academic growth.
“The flexibility that the Innovation School model provides is a powerful way of enabling educators and community members to take on enhanced leadership,” said Executive Office of Education Secretary Paul Reville. “The opportunity for teacher leadership and community involvement abounds in Innovation Schools.”
The Innovation Schools initiative is a signature component of the Patrick-Murray Administration’s education reform efforts and was authorized as part of the Achievement Gap Act of 2010. Innovation Schools provide educators, and a wide range of community stakeholders, the opportunity to create in-district schools that operate with greater autonomy and flexibility while keeping school funding within districts. These schools can implement creative and inventive strategies related to curriculum, budget, school schedule and calendar, staffing, professional development, and school district policies to improve learning outcomes for all students and reduce achievement gaps.
“I extend my thanks and appreciation to Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray for their commitment to Springfield and our school district,” said Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. “It is pleasing to be recognized and awarded funding to allow our students to achieve education excellence. I commend Principal Steve Mahoney, teachers, staff, students and parents on their innovation status.”
“Innovation schools are an important part of closing the achievement gap for students here in Springfield as well as across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Gale D. Candaras. “These investments in education are imperative to the success of our young people.”
Innovation Schools are approved by local school committees through a collaborative process that invites community and school stakeholders to engage in solving their communities particular issues by taking advantage of the flexibilities and autonomies afforded to Innovation Schools. These schools have been established for varying grade levels (e.g. elementary, middle and high school) and school types (such as new or converted schools or programs within an existing school).
Many of these schools are organized around specific themes like Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), dual language instruction, International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, alternative education opportunities (such as dropout prevention and dual enrollment at community colleges), virtual platforms and wraparound services. Many of the schools also operate with novel schedules that will significantly increase instructional time for students and professional learning opportunities for educators. There are currently 18 established Innovation Schools located across the state.
Beginning with two years of 100% college acceptances behind them, the Class of 2012 has a tall order to fill – Threepeat!!! Seniors will start the year with a College Planning Workshop on Wednesday, August 31st from 6-8pm, where they and their parents and guardians will have a chance to take advantage of workshops geared to help them negotiatiate all aspects of the college application process. Joseph Paige from Springfield ACCESS will join to conduct a workshop on Finacial Aid and the FAFSA, workshops will also include Common Application, Finding the Right Fit, and writing the college application essay. Seniors and their families will also learn of the requirements and deadlines specific to The Springfield Renaissance School. This year seniors will have a College Planning Handbook to help guide them through every step of the process.
Ultimately The Springfield Renaissance School’s College Planning Team is acutely aware of the need to ensure that students make good college choices to ensure that they graduate from college within four years. This is an important hurdle for many students who enter college and falter due to lack of academic preparation or financial aid.
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.
Jun 172010
CBS3 in Springfield
http://www.cbs3springfield.com/news/local/96441047.html
Springfield Republican
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/1st_class_graduates_from_renai.html
Boston Globe
Boston Herald
http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1261914
USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20100617/states17_st.art.htm
MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37749267
Connecticut Post
http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/All-Springfield-high-school-grads-get-into-college-525235.php
WHDH Channel 7 in Boston
http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/12001445995875/
Education Week
http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2010/06/15/361264mspringfieldhighschool_ap.html?r=451180444
Jun 172010
College-Bound:
The Springfield Renaissance School Announces 100 Percent of First Graduating Class Accepted to a College or University
Students have received more than $2.0 million in scholarships and grants
SPRINGFIELD, MA. (June 10, 2010) –The Springfield Renaissance School, an Expeditionary Learning school, has become the first public high school in the City of Springfield to see 100 % of its senior class accepted into college
On June 1st, after the final student shared her admissions news with Principal, Stephen Mahoney, he announced over the loud speaker, “Today it is true, The Springfield Renaissance School is now the first public high school in Springfield to have 100% of its graduates be admitted to college! The founding senior class has worked hard and they deserve this honor!“. The 77 seniors have been admitted into both two and four year colleges, and are expected to enter the doors of colleges and universities around the nation armed with over 2.0 million dollars in scholarships and grants in the fall of 2010. To date, more than 60 colleges or universities have admitted Renaissance students. The schools include UMass Amherst, Hampshire College, Tufts University, Westfield State College, Macalester College, and Wheelock College, among others.
The Springfield Public school district reported that the high school graduation rate for the 2008-2009 school year was 54.5%, with only 52% of those graduates attending college in the fall.
During the months January through May, Dr. Mahoney called off seniors’ names as they received their first admissions letters. Admissions announcements continued for nearly two months. The college admission ‘graffiti wall’ is littered with the signature of each college-bound senior, along with pictures and admissions letters. This is a ritual enacted each time a senior brought their first admissions letters into school.
Springfield Renaissance School principal, Dr. Stephen Mahoney, states, “Our students’ academic achievements have re-established the concept of ‘citizen-scholars’. It gives me tremendous hope for the future of our city, our state, and our nation.”
The students at The Springfield Renaissance School have a rigorous college prep curriculum where they delve deeply into core content during ‘Learning Expeditions’, which are in-depth studies that can span a whole semester. “These expeditions allow us to teach the state and national standards in a way that is relevant and interesting to the students. The depth of our studies and the connection to real-world problems helps the students understand why we are learning what we are learning”, says Aurora V. Kushner, a founding high school science teacher. “Our students are ready to go into college and beyond, as they have already sat at the table with local decision-makers, sharing their learnings and their ideas.” In all learning at the school, there is a focus on critical thinking, problem solving and strong habits of work.
The school will hold its first graduation on June 15th at 6 pm in Symphony Hall in Springfield, MA.
Contact
Dr. Stephen Mahoney
The Springfield Renaissance School, Principal
1170 Carew Street Springfield, MA 01104
phone: 413 750-2929
email: mahoneys@sps.springfield.ma.us
On October 5th 11 seniors from The Springfield Renaissance School hopped into a van with the school’s GEAR-UP staff. Here’s some advice for visiting colleges from Collegeboard.com…
Preparing for a College Campus Visit: Know before You Go
It may be tempting to just yell “roadtrip!” and head out to campuses, but you’ll get more out of your visits if you plan ahead.
Research the College
It’s important to know something about the college before you arrive on its campus, especially if you have an interview scheduled.
- Review the viewbooks, course catalogs, and any other materials the college sends to prospective students.
- Spend some time surfing their website.
- Talk to currently enrolled students or alumni about their college. Some college websites let you contact them online, or you can get their contact information from the admissions office.
Scheduling Your Trip
Pick a time that’s convenient to you, but try to go when classes are in session. That way, you can sit in on a lecture or stay in a dorm overnight. You’ll only get a true feel for the campus if you’re there on a day when classes are in full swing.
Schedule your time on campus, too, to make sure you’ll have time for everything you want to do:
- Find out how often college tours run, and if you have to sign up in advance.
- Be sure to get a map of the school. You don’t want to spend half your day trying to park or find the admissions office.
- If an interview is suggested, make an appointment. Also, consider meeting with the financial aid officer.
- If you’re curious about a club, program, or a sport, arrange to attend a practice, rehearsal, or meeting.
Pack a Camera and Notebook
Was it X College or Y University that had that excellent exercise equipment in the gym? Where did I talk to that cool psychology professor? You think you’ll remember everything, but you’ll be surprised how colleges start to merge after you’ve seen a few.
What’s Important to You?
Make a list of what college characteristics are most important to you, so you know what to evaluate. Do you feel overwhelmed in a large lecture hall? Check out the class size. Do you have your heart set on joining a sorority or fraternity? See what the Greek system is like on campus. Is there a particular major that you want to pursue? Talk to current students or professors in that department.
Develop a list of your preferences. Take this list to the schools that you plan to visit, and compare them when you get back home.
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/college-visits/73.html
The College Road Trip Never Ends