For months Roxbury Prep high school has been calling on the Boston Planning and Development Agency to hear its plans for a proposed high school building on a vacant lot zoned for a school. For months BPDA has refused to put the project to a vote for a hearing. Why? As the Boston Globe Editorial … Continued
My Uncommon Family— I am truly thankful for the opportunity to write to you on this day: June 19, 2020. As I write this, monuments of history told from a single story are coming down all over the world, as people refuse to continue to accept a single version, a single truth, a single lens … Continued
Senior Signing Days are usually a raucous affair with students and families convening at a theater, all cheering as each senior declares where they will be going to college. This year, the event turned virtual on Youtube. Students proudly shared which college they will be graduating from in four years, and listened to guest speaker … Continued
Camden Prep Mt. Ephraim Middle School graduated its first class of 38 students this month. To mark the special occasion, Camden Prep teachers bought students gifts. “We wanted to make our kids feel special,” said Principal Tom Weishaupt. “We know how hard they worked for this moment and even though we are not together we … Continued
Teachers from Uncommon Schools Excellence Boys organized a protest march that attracted about 5,000 participants. Calling themselves Educators for Justice, the rally protested the injustices experienced in communities of color. Educators, according to the group, are “front line workers who are responsible for developing and shaping the next generation.” Several Uncommon Schools teachers spoke at … Continued
In an op-ed for The 74 Million, Uncommon Schools President Julie Jackson explains why the Uncommon Schools network shut down for a day. “With protests erupting across the country, with our own staff and families and students participating, with countless conversations happening about the toll these events were taking on us personally, it became clear … Continued
Senior Signing Days are usually a raucous affair with students and families convening at a theater, all cheering as each senior declares where they will be going to college. This year, the event moved online. Titciana Barros, Roxbury Prep High School Principal, opened the ceremony acknowledging recent events. School staff also presented core values awards … Continued
Cities and communities across the U.S. responded in anguish and outrage following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. As part of that response, Uncommon Schools cancelled class for a day to provide its staff, students, and community space to reflect, mourn, and heal. “It became abundantly clear that we — even myself, as … Continued
Uncommon Schools is taking an organization-wide mental health day June 1, 2020 for the sake of our community. Like you, we spent the weekend watching, reading, grieving, raging, reflecting, and marching. We spent the weekend trying to explain to our own children what was going on, as we tried to explain it to ourselves. As … Continued
Roxbury Prep’s spoken word team called INSOMNIA placed first in quarter finals, and second in semifinals in the Get Lit Slam Classic, an annual spoken word competition that uses poetry to increase literacy and empower youth. The Slam Classic is typically held in California, and Roxbury Prep’s INSOMNIA was headed to the Golden State for … Continued
Bria Gadsden, a Roxbury Prep alumna, is helping Boston women access period care kits during the COVID-19 pandemic. With stay-at-home orders in place, access to menstrual health materials became difficult for some women in the city. To help solve this, Bria has created care kits with enough pads for one cycle, along with other items … Continued
North Star Academy student Darius Brown has been using his sewing skills to help animals get adopted. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, however, he’s shifted his focus. According to local news outlets and People.com, Darius shifted production from pet accessories to face masks for frontline health workers.
via TapInto Newark Performing Arts teachers at Uncommon North Star Academy and Camden Prep created a musical video in which they sing about Uncommon’s mission. The video is just one of a handful of ways that our teachers are reaching out to their students during on-going social distancing and stay-at-home orders as a result of … Continued
One Mission, One Vision. We may be separated from one another during this pandemic, but we are together in one purpose. With joy and love, our teachers continue to show their commitment to their students and families. North Star Academy and Camden Prep performing arts teachers created this video, singing out our mission to get … Continued
When Mike Taubman was studying to become a teacher, he didn’t buy the anti-charter school sentiment. As an undergraduate, he interned at Uncommon Schools and now, at 39, is in his 15th year at the network and thriving. Many teachers at charter schools, like Taubman, are willing to work the long hours because, writes Jay … Continued
In an op-ed for the Rochester Beacon, Assistant Superintendent Paul Powell describes how Uncommon Schools Rochester Prep revamped itself to address the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Echoing CEO Brett Peiser’s op-ed in the New York Daily News, Powell highlights the principles that guided this work, and how teachers are creating virtual curricula and … Continued
As news of possible school closings and stay-at-home orders mounted, Uncommon Schools Roxbury Prep knew it must plan for online teaching and learning to continue its mission. The week prior to closing, school leaders and teachers surveyed families for technology and service needs, trained staff and students, and made sure that every student who needed … Continued
When New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered the closure of all schools in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hofstra’s School of Education had over 130 student teachers placed throughout Long Island the New York metro area. Thanks to the actions of Jay Lewis, Hofstra’s Associate Dean for External Relations, Field Place and Recruitment, 100 percent … Continued
Many educators across the country are navigating a huge challenge: how to keep students learning while away from school during the coronavirus pandemic. As Juliana Worrell notes in an op-ed for The 74, we created a remote learning platform that we believe will keep K-8 students learning until we’re able to return to classrooms. We … Continued
When schools closed at the end of March 13, 900 Camden Prep students were sent home with paper-based remote learning packets so they could continue practicing previously learned materials. On March 30, a whole new type of online learning begin. A family and student-facing website that contains videos of master educators teaching various subjects, along … Continued
On March 16, Uncommon Schools closed all its schools, including its four high schools, in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The next day, over 4,000 high school students logged online for remote learning. The transition to online learning was completed in one day. This meant students were safe and could continue their learning uninterrupted, including … Continued
When schools closed at the end of March 13, students in K-8 at North Star Academy were sent home with paper-based remote learning packets so they could continue practicing previously learned materials. For the high school students, time was of the essence. The Advanced Placement Exams were just a few weeks away, and almost all … Continued
No one knew how much the coronavirus pandemic would impact K-12 learning. Schools, including Uncommon Schools, initially made sure their students had enough learning packets and assignments for about two weeks. It quickly became apparent that more was needed. Starting March 30, every Uncommon student will be on a virtual school program with daily lessons … Continued
A Freeport-based nonprofit, The Book Fairies, donated more than 11,000 books so children can keep reading during the coronavirus pandemic. Educators approached the organization about books to send home to students. In response, Book Fairies temporarily opened its headquarters for scheduled pick-ups. Natasha Cherry-Perez, Senior Associate Director of Community Engagement, went to pick up books … Continued
Days after we closed all of our school, Uncommon opened back up as a remote learning organization. In New York City alone we were serving nearly 10,000 students in their homes. Our teachers and staff scrambled to survey families about their Internet capabilities, became couriers to get equipment to families, and made wellness calls to … Continued
Boston Public School Students Continue to Advocate for a Permanent High School Building That Is Already Zoned for a School BOSTON — Students from Roxbury Prep High School will sit in silent protest at the next Boston Planning and Development Agency meeting to continue to advocate for a permanent home for their high school. For … Continued
North Star Academy Boy’s Varsity Basketball (No. 15 seed) is advancing to play for the state title after ousting Madison (No. 10 seed) 52-46 in the North 2 Group 2 tournament on March 5. The North Star Academy Knights will be playing against the No. 1 seed Hackettstown on March 10 for an attempt to … Continued
At Uncommon Schools, we believe that every child deserves an outstanding education. This is especially true for students with disabilities and Individual Education Plans (IEPs), English language learners, and any student requiring additional services to succeed academically. Our approach is premised on a love of learning and a fierce dedication to preparing all students to … Continued
Camden Prep paid homage to the Tuskegee Airmen, along with other notable trailblazers of color, during a Black History Month celebration. The celebration is one of many ways students across all of Uncommon showcase what they’ve learned in an engaging way. Watch the video of Camden Prep Copewood Elementary students perform their BHM Celebration, and … Continued
Arlingcove (Allen) Paul has made history as the first football player from Roxbury Prep to sign a National Letter of Intent to play football at Georgetown University. https://twitter.com/Capen316/status/1225117881475784706 https://twitter.com/Capen316/status/1225108255007035393 Roxbury Prep’s varsity football program began in 2018, and has been a competitive team. Dwayne Robinson, Roxbury Prep’s Athletic Director, feels this is just the tip … Continued
Bryan Santos-Ramos, an 8th grader at Camden Prep Mt. Ephraim Middle School was recognized as the “Strongest Kid of the Game” during the Philadelphia 76ers’ exhibition against the Golden State Warriors on January 28, 2020. A few years ago, Bryan had a tumor removed from his brain and had to relearn many everyday tasks. This … Continued
Seven hundred school leaders of color — including over 10 from Uncommon — gathered in Las Vegas on February 7 for Teach for America’s annual conference. This year, the focus was on resilient leadership and providing school leaders with inspiration and motivation to continue the work of supporting young people of color in achieving their … Continued
In January, New York City teachers from districts 18 and 5 gathered together for the second collaborative professional development workshop hosted by Uncommon Schools. As the six-hour session on literacy instruction began, the teachers were asked to think about Kobe Bryant the writer. Celeste Douglas, the Deputy Superintendent of District 18 in Brooklyn, read Bryant’s … Continued
Congratulations to North Star Academy Washington Park and Lincoln Park High Schools’ Speech Team for their recent wins at the 45th Penn Tournament. For the first time in the team’s history, every student who competed advanced to an elimination round. Semifinalists: Duo Interpretation: Michael Torto and Sarah Ramberran Oral Interpretation: Abigail Nicholas Dramatic Interpretation: Precious … Continued
Darius Brown, a middle school student at North Star Academy, was named New Jersey’s top youth volunteer of 2020. The recognition comes from The Prudential Spirit Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for their exceptional volunteer work. As an honoree, Darius will receive $1,000, and will attend an event in Washington, D.C. with … Continued
via Commonwealth Magazine In a letter published in Boston’s Commonwealth Magazine, Roxbury Prep parent Sarah Rocha calls on Mayor Marty Walsh to support the high school building project for Roxbury Prep’s high school students. Currently, Roxbury Prep High School is split between two buildings, five miles apart. “As you know, Roxbury Prep and their students … Continued
In an op-ed for the Bay State Banner, Boston District 5 City Councilor Ricard Arroyo calls on the Boston Planning and Development Agency “to do the right thing and put the high school project on their agenda in February.” In January, the Roxbury Prep community gathered on the steps of Boston City Hall to protest … Continued
On January 16, members of the Roxbury Prep community gathered on the steps of Boston City Hall to protest the Boston Planning and Development Agency’s (BPDA) delay in scheduling a hearing for a proposed high school to be built on a vacant lot in Roslindale. Currently, Roxbury Prep High School is split between two campuses … Continued
In 1997, we began as a single school in Newark, New Jersey. To that founding class of 72 students and their families we made a promise. A promise to provide them with an outstanding education that prepares them to graduate from college and achieve their dreams. Our steadfastness and commitment to that promise has allowed … Continued
News reporter Richard Whitmire visited Uncommon Leadership Charter High School in Brooklyn to see students engage in High School 2.0 — a program that provides students an opportunity to explore topics outside core academic subject areas. The program brings outside experts to teach classes from coding to dance. Students are able to learn “the kind … Continued
The Wall Street Journal published an article highlighting the work that New York City charter schools, including Uncommon Schools, are doing to get high school graduates to college and, importantly, graduate from college. We are excited to share that 61 percent of Uncommon’s high school graduates have completed at four-year institutions in six years ̶ … Continued
The Manhattan Institute released a new report on the effects enrolling in a charter school has on student standardized test scores in Newark, New Jersey. Among its major findings, the report suggests that attending a Newark charter school that participated in the city’s common enrollment system led to large improvements in students’ math and reading … Continued
On January 9, Uncommon Schools Excellence Boys Elementary Academy hosted students and staff from Morehouse College, to learn more about future career and post-graduation opportunities in education. Sixteen sophomores and juniors from the Atlanta-based HBCU visited the all-boys school to hear from Uncommon’s Recruitment Team, visit several elementary and middle school classrooms, and interacted with … Continued
As one of two black male teachers at North Star’s West Side Park Middle School, Raymond Blanks is determined to serve his community and “pay it forward.” Black men like Raymond continue to be underrepresented in the teaching force, making up only 2 percent of teachers nationwide. Research shows that when students are taught by … Continued
The goal of Camp Uncommon is to provide the best summer for as many kids as possible, and engages students in a variety of activities from hiking and nature discovery to athletics and arts. In addition to discovery new interests, the summer camp immerses elementary and middle school students in character-building activities. Camp Uncommon, now … Continued
Educators from NYC Districts 5 and 18 gathered together for a professional development session led by Uncommon Schools. The topic: literacy. Throughout the day, teachers analyzed what it means to prepare students to access the rigor of common-core standards, and how best to support students in reading and understanding complex texts. The professional development session … Continued
Titicana Barros, Principal of Roxbury Prep High School – Maywood Campus and Roxbury Prep alumna, has been selected for the Heroes Among Us award, presented by the Massachusetts State Lottery, NBC Sports Boston, and 98.5 The SportbsHub! The Celtics honored Titciana for her dedication to the youth of Boston, calling her a “shining example” who … Continued
In an interview with TAPinto Newark, Jasmine Morrison says that the New Jersey Department of Education is asking the wrong questions about charter schools. As a result, they’re not capturing how much charter schools are positively impacting the families, students, and communities of Newark. While her own childhood was often fraught with danger — her … Continued
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