It’s official. After the Boston Teachers Union voted in favor of extending the school day by 40 minutes at the Harvard/Kent School in Charlestown school the Boston School Committee voted in favor of the proposal. The historic vote was the last step in the process of giving Harvard/Kent student extra learning time.
“This is a historic moment in public education for Boston, and I am pleased this agreement is moving forward,” said Mayor Martin Walsh. “Boston’s students deserve more learning opportunities. The extra 40 minutes will mean more time for academic learning, more time for enrichment opportunities, and more time for added supports for struggling students.”
Starting next year the Harvard/Kent will be one of 60 Boston Public Schools to have 40 minutes of learning time permanently added to the school day. The additional time will impact the Harvard/Kent’s 514 students and 23,000 other elementary and middle school students across Boston. The extra time is equivalent to adding one month of instruction for Adams School students. The plan also nearly doubles the amount of teacher planning and development time that educators receive.
“This an exciting time in the Boston Public Schools,” said School Committee Chair Michael O’Neill. “Innovations such as longer school days, an improved teacher hiring and evaluation system, and more opportunities for school staff, parents and partners to collaborate, are leading to greater outcomes for students. I want to thank Mayor Walsh for his leadership in education.”
The Harvard/Kent welcomes all students and families to a safe and rigorous learning environment where the school shows pride in the work and everything the school does.
Harvard/Kent students demonstrate purpose, responsibility, individuality, determination, and engagement. The staff at the school expects all of its students to read, write, become proficient in math, create meaningful art, and participate in activities and believe all students can learn and support students in their goals to become great citizens.
At the Harvard/Kent Educational success depends on dedicated teachers, paraprofessionals, and school staff. Many of its teachers teach in the school’s after school tutoring programs in math and reading. All teachers focus on professional development opportunities that enable them to meet the needs of all students.
Over the years the the Harvard/Kent has built strong academic programs in literacy, math, social studies and science; an award-winning staff, well qualified teaching team; consistent growth on MCAS assessments — particularly in math; the Harvard/Kent Leadership Scholarship program offers a $1000 college scholarships to six student leaders each school year; has a summer partnership with Courageous Sailing and the USS Constitution Museum; a boat building program with Community Boat Building were all grade 5 students build boats; a brand new updated computer lab donated by the Boston Celtics; and academic support programs before and after school.
The school has also partnered with Big Brother Big Sister, Courageous Sailing, Community