Esperanza Academy

ESPERANZA ACADEMY LAWRENCE, MASSACHUSETTS HEAD OF SCHOOL JULY 2016 esperanzaacademy.org THE POSITION As its name implies, Esperanza Academy is a place filled with hope. In just under 10 years, the school has achieved so much—it provides a tuition-free, rigorous education in the Episcopal tradition, blending strong academics with engaging extracurriculars, to 60 low- income girls in grades five through eight in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Just this year, it became accredited by AISNE, the Association of Independent Schools of New England. In the past decade, Esperanza has Mission dared to hope—and its hopes have been and continue to be realized. Esperanza Academy is a tuition-free, independent What is truly unique about Esperanza is the sense middle school in the Episcopal tradition welcoming of vibrancy and optimism that pervades the campus, girls of diverse faiths, races, and cultures from which is unlike any the CS&A consultants had ever Lawrence, Massachusetts. Esperanza’s mission visited. All constituents at this school know that they is to inspire its students to become active learners are making a difference—in the greater Lawrence and responsible global citizens. We empower and community as well as in the lives of the bright, prepare our girls to meet challenges with courage, curious, and engaged students who proudly call integrity, and respect. themselves girls of Esperanza. These poised students are living examples of the success of the school: they look adults in the eye, shake their hands, and Vision introduce themselves with assured confidence. They are the embodiment of the school’s labor of love and Esperanza is committed to instilling in our students goodwill, and they are the very reason Esperanza the core values of wisdom, integrity, leadership, exists and thrives. and service. We are committed to helping our students, their families, and the city of Lawrence As it enters its 10th year of providing an exceptional, end the cycle of poverty, high drop-out rates for transformative education with proven results, students, and high pregnancy rates for teenage Esperanza is seeking a dynamic, visionary Head of girls. School to advance its mission, operations, and profile to the next level of excellence and success. To achieve Fast Facts this, the Head of School must understand, embrace, and harness Esperanza’s rich identities: independent school, Episcopal school, all-girls school, urban • Students: 60 school, and NativityMiguel model school. The • Faculty: 27 successful candidate will cultivate, steward, and • Student/teacher ratio: 8:1 motivate an ever widening and deepening group of • Teaching faculty with advanced degrees: 53% financial supporters and will lead the implementation • Students of color: 100% of the school’s new strategic plan by working • Faculty and staff of color: 30% collaboratively with the Board of Trustees, Principal, Leadership Team, and faculty. This is an unequaled opportunity for an impassioned educator and leader who yearns to make a true difference in the lives of students. The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 1 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com SCHOOL HISTORY Esperanza began with a need: to address the incredible inequality that existed between Lawrence, Massachusetts, and neighboring Andover. In 2002, the socioeconomic disparity between these two towns was greater than that of any two contiguous communities in the United States. In the spirit of decreasing this inequality, vestries of Christ Church of Andover and Grace Church of Lawrence convened to brainstorm on a high-impact project to serve Lawrence. A joint exploratory committee determined that the Lawrence school system needed the most help, and they recommended founding an independent middle school for low-income girls in Lawrence. The state’s Episcopal Bishop agreed, and Reverend Jeffery Gill of Christ Church began identifying funding opportunities and potential donors and contributors to what would become Esperanza—a physical embodiment of hope through education for girls in need. In 2004, the school’s Board met for the first time. They unanimously voted to hire Laurie Bottiger as the school’s founding Head, and Laurie arrived a full year before the school’s launch. In November of 2005, Esperanza’s fundraising efforts were boosted by the addition of Rosalyn Wood, the school’s biggest benefactress, to the Board. In 2006, Esperanza hosted its first admissions lottery, and 42 girls were selected to enroll at Esperanza under the condition that a parent or family member would commit to volunteering at the school for two hours per week in return for free tuition. Esperanza’s admissions process continues to be lottery-based; all students in need have the opportunity to benefit from the school’s program and faculty. Esperanza opened in 2006 to its first fifth and sixth grade classes. In the following two years, one grade was added per year. Over the next decade, the school has expanded its offerings to include a competitive athletic program, an in-house arts program, a choir, a newly enhanced curriculum, and a nutritious school meals program. This past year, under the leadership of current Head Chris Wilson, Esperanza became accredited by AISNE, the Association of Independent Schools of New England. The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 2 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com AFTER ESPERANZA THE SCHOOL Below is a representative list of high schools that Esperanza Throughout its program, Esperanza emphasizes four core values: graduates have attended: wisdom, integrity, leadership, and service. Students know that they • Academy of Notre Dame are well-served by teachers who care about them, and they actively • Austin Preparatory School want to come to school to learn. The school was founded as part of the • Brooks School Nativity School Consortium, a group of 64 middle schools in 27 states • Central Catholic High School whose mission is breaking the cycle of poverty through education. • Dracut High School These schools emphasize holistic, extended day and extended year • Essex Agricultural and education within a safe and engaging academic environment, a Technical High School supportive partnership with families, and commitment to students • Fryeburg Academy beyond graduation. • Greater Lawrence Regional Technical High School Esperanza is intentionally single-gender, addressing the complex • Groton School differences in how boys and girls learn. Research shows that girls in • Lawrence High School single-gender schools are more likely to take healthy risks than girls • Lexington Christian Academy in coed schools. This setting provides a supportive environment that • Nobles and Greenough School facilitates the transformative experience cultivated by the Esperanza • Notre Dame High School faculty. Teachers understand that middle school is a pivotal time in • Kimball Union Academy a student’s life—it is a time to discover and develop talents, tastes, • Phillips Academy (Andover) interests, and strengths. • Phillips Exeter Academy • Pingree School ACADEMICS • Presentation of Mary Academy • Sparhawk School Esperanza’s rigorous academic curriculum is designed to stimulate • Springfield High School of intellectual curiosity, bolster academic strengths, and diminish Science and Technology deficiencies among students. Teachers work with each student to • Whittier Regional Vocational create individualized learning plans and monitor student progress Technical High School through testing and periodic evaluations. Girls benefit from a low student/teacher ratio, and they form strong relationships with teachers who oversee their academic journeys and encourage them to advance their intellectual competence. Faculty believe that students learn best through hands-on, interactive experiences both in and outside the classroom. Students pursue coursework in English, math, science, Spanish, health, art, Latin, and religious studies. They emerge from Esperanza truly prepared for the opportunities and challenges of high school, college, and beyond. An integral part of Esperanza’s program is introducing students The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 3 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com to the idea that college is not just a goal, but rather a natural trajectory in their education. This commitment extends past middle school and continues into high school and college through the Graduate Support Program, which forges strategic partnerships with area high schools in order to place students in competitive programs that fit their needs. Through the GSP, Esperanza graduates stay connected to their alma mater once in high school, receiving the guidance and mentorship necessary to stay afloat, succeed, and make good choices. To date, 100% of Esperanza alumnae have graduated from high school. STUDENT LIFE At its heart, Esperanza is a school in the Episcopal tradition. As such, its program is characterized by academic rigor, inclusivity, social service, and the celebration of God as the center of life. The school welcomes people of all faiths, cultures, and economic background—indeed, 90% of students do not identify as Episcopalian. But the Episcopal experience is thoughtfully planned with the understanding that spiritual growth is a vital part of any individual’s development, regardless of his or her personal beliefs. The school encourages students and staff to reflect on and develop their own beliefs and religions, so they may live more fully and faithfully. The school’s Episcopal tradition is embodied through

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