welcome to our schools
Many thanks to Principals Ayla Gavins and Naia Wilson, staff and students for their warm welcome, hospitality and patience in fielding our many questions. Very busy schools with engaged students and staff.
Again two schools in one building, an old one with large rooms feeding off a wide central corridor, akin to the ‘mall’ design seen in some PFI schools. Mission Hill feeds into Mission High and other Boston public schools that include BAA. Most students choose to progress to small pilot schools rather than the bigger public schools so they can build on the quality of experience. It certainly works well.
Of interest in Mission Hill;
• focus on ‘habits of mind’, ‘habits of work’ and developing ‘essential skills’
• c170 students, 50 staff
• themed curriculum, currently studying democracy at the time of presidential election (children’s books on 2 candidates)
Of interest in New Mission High;
• restructuring from an alternative curriculum with a strong emphasis on social justice and preparation for college entrance (now have special Advanced placement classes for students most likely to progress)
• pushing Maths courses over 4 y, ‘mastery’ assessment with recovery sessions at weekend, summer school
• Strong partnerships with local colleges and community
• 250 students, c22/class with 2 staff and full inclusion
• teacher adviser:student ratio 1:15, meet am (connect) and pm (reflect)
• time built into the school day for teachers to plan
• 3 overnight ‘retreats’/y to plan as whole staff and extra days for faculty planning
• no external cover – disperse among staff available
• support from academics eg Ron Ferguson at Harvard (relationship / curriculum / pedagogy triangle)
• seemingly fewer resources – using whiteboards (not smart) and OHPs, hand drawn posters. approved textbooks – targeting cash on staff first?
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Potential impact on WTC thinking?
• Student adviser role focusing on connect (am) and reflect (pm)?
• Does it have to be a teacher?
• Recovery / booster sessions for core subjects / skills?
• How to provide more staff – rebalance budget spend against resources?
• How to build in more planning time – as learning (kaizen) teams?
• Rethink teacher / support cover?
• Research Ferguson approach?
• Reposition our own ‘habits of mid/work/behaviour’ around social justice and academic learning / achievement?
