Boston, MA (September 7, 2023) – EdVestors, a non-profit school improvement organization, has announced that high schools in East Boston, Mission Hill and Brighton have been named the three finalists for its annual School on the Move Prize. The Prize, now in its 18th year, highlights the schools, leaders, and teachers of Boston Public Schools who create and continuously improve learning environments where all students thrive.
The three finalists for the $100,000 Prize are:
- Boston Green Academy, Brighton
- East Boston High School, East Boston
- Fenway High School, Mission Hill
(See more information on each school further below.)
The School on the Move Prize ceremony will take place from 8:00 AM-10:00 AM on Wednesday, November 8th at the Westin Copley, in front of Boston’s business, education, civic, and philanthropic leaders. The prize winner is a closely guarded secret until the announcement is made and the award is presented live. The other finalist schools will each receive a $10,000 award.
“We are excited to have three high schools as finalists this year,” said Marinell Rousmaniere, the President and CEO of EdVestors. “With each school’s unique approach, they have demonstrated a clear vision and unwavering commitment to preparing their students for future studies, careers, and civic engagement.
EdVestors aims to recognize the accomplishments of schools, administrators, and educators who foster and consistently enhance learning atmospheres where every student can excel. By documenting and spotlighting the stories of schools’ advancement, we aim to assist more schools in making substantial strides in their students’ progress.
Overview of Finalist Schools
East Boston High School is one of the district’s largest secondary schools, serving its majority-Latinx local population with a strong community spirit. Once on the brink of state takeover, the school has been recognized for its efforts to strengthen instruction over the past decade. With the implementation of graduate-level professional development for teachers, an equitable grading policy, and after-school and summer credit recovery programs, East Boston High School’s graduation rate, state ranking, and attendance have all risen steadily despite the pandemic.
Fenway High School is dedicated to preparing its students to take on the world-class higher education and STEM careers that surround the Mission Hill high school. Students can pursue early college pathways in social entrepreneurship at Wentworth Institute of Technology or in health sciences at UMass Boston. A new pilot program allows students to stay on for a Year 13, graduating with up to two years’ worth of college credits completely free of charge. The school’s work to prepare all students for early college math has also paid dividends, with its 10th graders leading the state in MCAS growth.
Boston Green Academy in Brighton was founded to prepare Boston’s youth to meet the challenge of climate change. With a green careers focus, students can enroll in an Environmental Science career pathway, take AP Environmental Science, experience hands-on outdoor learning with nonprofit partners, and complete capstone internships in green careers. Compared to the closing high school it restarted in 2011, Boston Green Academy has dramatically increased graduation and college-going rates and lowered the dropout rate. These outcomes are particularly notable for students with disabilities, who make up 31% of the school population, and are consistently higher than rates for their peers across BPS.
About EdVestors
EdVestors mission is to advance equitable, meaningful education that prepares every Boston student to activate their power and shape their future. EdVestors combines strategic grantmaking, content expertise, and collaborative implementation to drive system-level impact in Boston schools. Since 2002, EdVestors has raised and invested over $42 million in school improvement efforts. We drive toward our mission by activating people and resources; learning and iterating in context; and influencing system change. We believe that continuously attending to all three of our drivers ensures our activities will create impact.
