Mission: Community Academy’s mission is to advance student education through a student-centered, academically rigorous curriculum, aligned with state and district standards, that promotes teamwork, positive decision-making, and citizenship. We seek to educate students, helping them to become independent, reflective thinkers while equipping them with the essential competencies necessary for responsible citizenship in a democracy.
Community Academy Academy is a Pathway III school designed both for students who have chosen to attend a small alternative program, and for those who have been assigned to the school through Alternative Education. Our program is unique in several ways. Our size allows us to place a heavy emphasis on positive relationships between students, teachers, administrators, and support staff. Classes are small, with a student-teacher ratio of 15-to-1. Despite its small size, however, we are able to offer a wide variety of courses, including Pre-Calculus, Active Physics, Advanced Math through Computer Science, and World Literature. Teachers regularly tailor curricula to their students’ individual needs.
Students meet daily with an advisor, who is responsible for helping advisees navigate their way through high school. Advisors make regular phone calls home to parents and guardians, they support students academically, help with college admissions and applications, and they serve as in-house advocate for their advisees.
Within the classroom, we place a strong emphasis on inquiry- and project-based learning. With their coaches and the Director of Instruction, teachers receive weekly support around how to teach using a variety of methods, how to use multiple assessments, create student portfolios, and support creative student presentations. In order to expand learning outside of the walls of the classroom, students take regular field trips to regional sites such as the Boston Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, New York’s Jewish Heritage Museum, Thompson Island, and Biogen Labs.
Additionally, we are lucky enough to be supported by many outside organizations, such as City Year, CORE Learning Services, the South End Community Health Center, Positive Approaches, the School Community Adolescent Team, and the Massachusetts Literacy Project.
Admission Requirements:
There are two routes to admission to Community Academy. 60 of our seats are reserved for Boston students who apply to the school. These students must set up an appointment with the Headmaster, Lindsa McIntyre, and their parent or guardian. During the intake interview, students and their guardians will work with Ms. McIntyre to determine the suitability of CA as a placement. During the interview they will look at past academic performance and behavior as well as future goals and aspirations. If it is determined that CA is a good fit for the student, (s)he must simply register with a parent/guardian at the Parent Center.
90 of our seats are reserved for students who are assigned to Community Academy through the Office of Alternative Education. These seats are not available through application.