In recent times, a middle school student living in a challenging neighborhood in this city made a bold decision about her future career: she aspired to become a doctor. While many adults supported her, it was during a conversation with a knowledgeable source, a medical researcher from Harvard University, that she received some straightforward advice. "He told me it’s difficult. You have to work really hard," Andrea Pina, 13, recalled. "You have to go through many years of college… When I received my report card, he told me I had the potential to do better." This conversation took place as part of Citizen Schools, an apprenticeship program that operates outside of regular school hours, aimed at enhancing students’ academic and leadership skills by connecting them with professionals from different fields. Originating in Boston in 1994, the program primarily focuses on middle school students, who are often underserved by after-school education programs. It offers a highly structured combination of academic tutoring and mentoring.
Over the years, Citizen Schools has experienced steady growth. Currently, it serves 2,000 students in grades 6, 7, and 8, the majority of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds, across 30 schools in five states. Students spend an average of 400 hours per year participating in various projects, activities, and academic tutoring sessions led by professionals such as doctors, lawyers, architects, chefs, and artists. These professionals aim to inspire students to consider their own college and career paths. According to a recent study, this approach seems to be effective. A 2005 evaluation of Citizen Schools found that participants in certain grade levels showed improvements in their reading and math test scores, as well as their overall grades. The study also revealed improved grade-to-grade promotion rates, attendance rates, and high school performance.
In Boston, where most middle schools dismiss students at 1:30 p.m., Citizen Schools focuses on utilizing the after-school hours, along with weekends and summer breaks, to engage students in projects and activities overseen by adult volunteers and the program’s full-time staff. J. Chris Coxon, the deputy superintendent for teaching and learning in Boston’s 58,000-student school district, commends the program for its thoughtful approach in building momentum and motivation amongst students. He states that Citizen Schools succeeds in developing the whole child, rather than solely focusing on academic improvements or broader mentoring initiatives.
Andrea Pina’s schedule exemplifies the holistic approach of Citizen Schools. In the previous semester, she would leave McCormack Middle School in Boston’s Dorchester area, where she resides, every Tuesday and Thursday, walk to a nearby train station, and journey to a community center in a sprawling neighborhood to attend an 8th-grade academy organized by the program. During those two days, she would spend 4½ hours receiving homework assistance and tutoring in specific subjects like English and math, which she has struggled with. On Tuesdays, Andrea and her peers in the academy would receive writing support from lawyers from various law firms and governmental agencies in Boston. These lawyers, who frequently welcome students into their law offices, help the students compose editorials and essays that are published in a magazine created by Citizen Schools. The organization also arranges "Wows," which are projects and presentations where students showcase their apprenticeship training. The lawyer-volunteers assist the students in organizing mock trials at local courthouses, where notable figures such as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer and U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts have served as "jurors." These volunteers also aid the students in crafting admissions essays for elite public high schools in Boston, as Citizen Schools encourages them to apply to these academically demanding schools as a step towards attending college.
After-school programs typically focus on elementary students, and educational institutions and organizations sometimes have concerns about maintaining order and motivation among older students in such settings, according to Betsy Brand, the director of the American Youth Policy Forum. However, as middle school electives and programs are eliminated from the school day due to academic or budgetary pressures, services for older students are expected to become more popular. Parents and others are increasingly searching for alternatives to ensure that middle school students have access to educational and career preparation opportunities.
A New Approach
According to Eric Schwarz, the president and CEO of Citizen Schools, districts under pressure to improve academic performance and with tight class schedules are turning to out-of-school programs more frequently. Despite Boston’s early-afternoon school release for middle schools, Schwarz believes that as long as schools get out by 3:30 p.m., his program has enough time to operate. Citizen Schools has been designated as a supplemental-services provider under the federal No Child Left Behind Act in Massachusetts and is seeking the same designation in other states. In addition, the program has participating schools in California, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Texas.
Schwarz envisions a collaboration between school reform and the after-school community. School leaders are searching for innovative teaching and learning options, which after-school programs can provide. He emphasizes the need for these programs to offer something unique and not simply be more of the same. Senator Kennedy has also expressed his support for after-school programs and plans to introduce legislation that would provide more federal support for enrichment activities tied to school curriculum. Citizen Schools has been cited as a model for this bill.
A study conducted by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning found that over 70 after-school programs improve students’ behavior, self-confidence, and attitude toward school. Programs that have well-organized activities and focus on enhancing students’ social skills are most likely to achieve positive outcomes. One example of a successful program is Citizen Schools, which offers apprenticeship programs on various topics. These programs provide opportunities for students to learn from experts in the field and engage in hands-on activities. Field trips to research facilities are also arranged to give students a firsthand experience of scientific exploration.
Citizen Schools was founded by Eric Schwarz and Ned Rimer a dozen years ago with the aim of fostering enthusiasm and expanding educational opportunities. Initially, the program only involved 20 students, but positive results led to its expansion. Today, Citizen Schools operates out of the Boston Children’s Museum and has a budget of $15 million. It employs around 270 part-time and full-time staff members, with some positions supported through the AmeriCorps program. The organization relies on funding from private donors and philanthropies such as the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, the Goldman Sachs Foundation, and Bank of America. In addition to student training, Citizen Schools has also partnered with Lesley University to offer a master’s degree program in out-of-school education.
Volunteers play a crucial role in the success of Citizen Schools. Individuals like Marcus Delatte, a Harvard researcher, dedicate their time to mentor students and expose them to potential career paths. Delatte, who is African-American, believes that many minority youths do not consider college or promising careers because they lack role models with similar backgrounds. By volunteering, he hopes to inspire young students and show them the possibilities that lie ahead.
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