Boston pilot school wins $100,000
A Boston pilot school has won $100,000 for its dramatic improvement in academic performance, school officials said.
The Boston Community Leadership Academy beat out three other finalists for the Thomas W. Payzant Prize, presented by EdVesters, a local nonprofit organization that seeks to promote change in urban schools through private investment, said Bryan Spence, EdVestor’s director of philanthropic services.
“Boston Community Leadership Academy is a wonderful school,’’ Spence said. “They’ve done some amazing things with the student body.’’
Formally Boston High School, the academy became one of Boston’s first pilot schools in 2002.
Pilot schools are independently governed, and teachers are exempt from typical union contract work rules. The schools are subject to state and federal laws but are exempt from district policies and mandates.
Nicole Bahnam, the academy’s principal, said the award was an affirmation of the school’s efforts.
“It’s so great to recognize the hard work of the people on the front line every day,’’ Bahnam said. “We are honestly elated by this achievement.’’
According to EdVestors, the academy outperformed the district average from 2004-2008 in both English language arts and math.
Spence said it has been a finalist for the prize for four years and “has really demonstrated consistent improvement each year.’’
