POWERFUL LEARNERS UNLOCKING SUCCESS For me, GovsPLUS GovsPLUS AND THE is about young LAWRENCE PUBLIC SCHOOL In state receivership since 2011, The Lawrence Public Schools face unique people taking a challenges as a district, with more than 90% of its students from low- income families. More than 90% of the district’s students are Hispanic and risk in dreaming 30% are English language learners. Lawrence Public Schools have made significant strides towards improvement with a comprehensive turnaround big and then plan, but much work remains to be done.The district continues to struggle with a drop-out rate that is twice the state average and standardized test being given the scores that consistently fall below the statewide averages. environment, the Partnering with outside schools and youth organizations to provide more academic enrichment for students has been a key component of the district’s mentoring, and turnaround plan. Research shows that a lack of learning opportunities outside of school, particularly a lack of summer learning, contributes the scaffolding significantly to the academic achievement gap between children from low-income communities and their higher-income peers.The GovsPLUS to achieve program aligns directly with the Lawrence Public School system’s plan to provide students with access to educational opportunities and to expand Five-week, full-day, their aspirations. their learning time beyond the traditional school year. tuition-free summer I have been so FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GovsPLUS PLEASE CONTACT program for motivated Michelle de la Guardia middle school students privileged to Director of GovsPLUS [email protected] from Lawrence. share the joy 787.955.4919 www.thegovernorsacademy.org/govsplus that comes with TO SUPPORT THE GovsPLUS PROGRAM PLEASE CONTACT The Office of Advancement at The Governor’s Academy their hard work 978.499.3185 and success.” SPENCER PURINTON ‘75, P ‘13, ’14, ‘20, CO-FOUNDER OF GOVSPLUS, MEMBER OF THE GOVERNOR’S ACADEMY BOARD OF TRUSTEES The Governor’s Academy 1 Elm Street, Byfield, MA 01922 GovsPLUS maximizes the talents “You are surrounded by people and resources of The Governor’s who influence in positive ways Academy faculty, staff, and and believe you are worth student volunteers, providing more than what you deem.” SCHOOLS18 GOVSPLUS GRADUATE The amount of a year-round, comprehensive support I received over the last two years academic and co-curricular The number of independent, greatly impacted me parochial, and accelerated experience for promising and the amount of public schools that have young scholars. confidence I have now. accepted GovsPLUS If I could go back every graduates: single summer, with no The Governor’s Academy hesitation, I would. Brooks School GOVSPLUS GRADUATE Phillips Exeter Academy Phillips Andover Academy Wilbraham & Monson Academy St. John’s Prep ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING, Beacon Academy Abbott Lawrence Academy SUPPORT, AND MENTORING FOR VISITS EACH YEAR… to independent Bradford Christian School 35+ scholars attend • 30 Governor’s faculty and staff GOVSPLUS SCHOLARS CONTINUES high schools and Notre Dame Cristo Rey members volunteer their time and talent • 10 high THROUGHOUT THE YEAR college campuses, Central Catholic High school students volunteer time and talent • 90% of • Group outings to cultural events, museums, including MIT and Presentation of Mary participants report an increase in learning and academic Academy and college campuses Harvard University. motivation • Overall improvement in standardized • Gatherings to re-connect and check-in St. Marks School testing scores • $1,800 to sponsor a deserving scholar • Academic support Cambridge School of Weston • 80% of GovsPLUS graduates go on to attend an • Workshops and activities Northfield Mt. Hermon independent, parochial, or accelerated public school, • Guidance during the independent high school GovsPLUS truly allowed me to The Winchendon School including The Governor’s Academy application process unlock success through education Milton Academy and broadened my horizons. Because of GovsPLUS, I believe that even a Lawrence girl like me ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES, can prosper no matter what the GovsPLUS plants the seed LAWRENCE COURSES, & FIELD TRIPS of curiosity, confidence, odds are. I am forever grateful and GovsPLUS will always be a COMMUNITY • Athletics and wellness and motivation. Scholars 3 • Visual and performing arts part of me, reminding me I can PARTNERS improve academically • Science and technology achieve anything. 14 • Community service and emotionally as they GOVSPLUS GRADUATE Lawrence Family Development HOURS Charter School DAILY ACADEMIC CLASSES • Standardized test preparation make meaningful lifelong friendships with like- Guilmette Middle School Math, Humanities, Science UP Academy Leonard Computer Programing minded students. Our POWERFUL LEARNERS Writing, Research, and scholars grow in body, UP Academy Oliver UNLOCKING SUCCESS Public speaking mind, and spirit as we Parthum Middle School provide the support that Arlington Middle School A five-week, full-day, tuition-free academic Taught by experienced faculty and assisted they need to become their Spark Academy enrichment program that partners The Governor’s by volunteer high best self. These amazing Summer Youth Development Academy with motivated middle school students Organization (YDO) school students kids inspire me and give Program from Lawrence, MA with the goal of helping these Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence me a such hope for The GovsPLUS summer pro- scholars reach their potential inside and outside the Esperanza Academy MUSEUM TRIPS the future. gram includes daily nutritious Abbott Lawrence Academy classroom. Each year, approximately 40 rising eighth breakfast, lunch, and snacks, AND MORE… MICHELLE DE LA GUARDIA, at LHS and ninth grade students work to strengthen their classroom supplies, athletic DIRECTOR OF GOVSPLUS Community Day Charter Trips may include the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, academic skills, build their self-confidence, and equipment, and round-trip Public School the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, nature and history participate in formative service and experiential bus transportation to The Wetherbee School outings such as visits to the Seacoast Science Center and from Lawrence. learning opportunities. in NH and the Freedom Trail in Boston. Alexander B Bruce Middle School.