New Location, But Same Goals
Allston-Brighton TAB
October 31, 2002
By Judy Wasserman
When students arrive at the MATCH School (Media and Technology Charter High School) every morning, their principal, former teacher of the year Charles Sposato, greets them at the door, and asks them why they are there. Their expected response is, "I'm here to learn."
And what will it take to learn?
"Courage, discipline, and perseverance" they answer.
In fact, according to MATCH Executive Director Alan Safran, MATCH "takes learning seriously," and the 25-person staff will not give up on its students even if some of them give up on themselves.
Now in its third year, the school has moved into the newly renovated former "Ellis the Rim Man" building on Commonwealth Avenue in Allston, which was dedicated last week.
During the opening ceremonies, it was announced the school has received $310,000 from three charitable foundations. The CVS Charitable Trust donated $150,000 to fund a science classroom; the Akamai Foundation donated $100,000 to fund a math classroom; and the Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation gave $60,000 towards operating expenses and academic support.
State Education Commissioner David Driscoll said at the ceremonies that MATCH "is a remarkable success story and a model for what can happen when adults committed to the needs of students are not deterred by challenges." He added, "We now have a first rate facility and personnel to make a difference in the lives of urban students."
It cost just under $10 million to purchase and renovate the Ellis building, said Safran. It was partially funded by a Federal Qualified Zone Academic bond, and by other financial backers. The school received $1.6 million from the city of Boston this year ($10,000 per student), and must also raise $800,000 to help cover expenses. The school uses two floors in the Ellis building, and hopes to rent out the third floor. There are new classrooms for all the students, but MATCH does not have a gym, a library or a cafeteria.
The school has an enrollment of 160 ninth, 10th and 11th graders, and next year, it will add a 12th grade, and expects to increase enrollment to 180. According to its Web site, MATCH was established to prepare disadvantaged urban youth to attend college, and excel in college and beyond. Safran said the school enrolls a high percentage of students who come from high poverty neighborhoods.
Safran said in an interview this week that most MATCH students are three-to-four years behind in academic work, and "there is no time to waste. It takes two years to catch up one year."
Over the past several years, some Boston Public School students, who wanted to improve their academic opportunities, have turned to charter schools like MATCH; in fact, Safran said this week that the school had 300 applicants for 50 seats this year.
Despite its young history, the school is already seeing student progress. Safran said when current MATCH students were in eighth grade, 17 percent of them passed the math MCAS test. As MATCH.10th graders last year, 80 percent passed the math test.
Said Safran, "It's a complete turnaround."
He attributes this success to small classes, great teachers, and individualized tutoring. Class size averages 18, and Safran said, "our smallness gives the students attention and makes a difference for almost every kid." Tutoring is part of the daily schedule, and there is also considerable outreach to parents. For example, each teacher calls parents at home at least 25 times a year, and completes home visits.
Teachers also must know all students by name by the end of September. Safran said knowing the students and providing an environment conducive to learning is an important focus of the school. The school environment is, in fact, fairly regimented. Students arrive at 7:45 a.m. for breakfast; classes run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, students stay until 5:10 p.m. for homework lab; on Thursdays, they stay until 5:10 for clubs and sports; and Fridays are a shortened day, 11:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Students must also wear uniform clothing, including certain kinds of tee shirts or white shirts with collars and buttons; the shirts must always be tucked in. Black or khaki slacks are also recommended, and students cannot wear hats or bandanas.
Safran said there is considerable attention to detail in order to maintain good behavior. For example, if a student is just one minute late for school or class, he/she receives detention; if a student is wearing the wrong clothing, he/she is sent home to change.
Said Safran, "We have fewer behavior problems because we don't tolerate anything out of order. Even the smallest detail is enforced."
Safran is proud of two new programs at the school, the entrepreneurship academy and the outside lunch program. School staff and students run a Sprint store on the ground floor of the building, and the money derived from this entrepreneurship effort goes toward student scholarships. Students also learn a lot about running a business.
Without a cafeteria, MATCH provides cold lunches, but wanted to offer more than that, so, Safran said, he developed the outside lunch program. He worked with several local eateries who provide nutritious lunches to students who choose this option, and the school reimburses each restaurant $2.20 per student. He estimated 110 of the 160 students take advantage of this choice. The participating restaurants are T. Anthony's, Mykonos Pizza, Angora Café, Boston Pizza Express, and Mambo Café.
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2002 Headlines |
New Location, But Same Goals
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