Why Beacon?Beacon Academy Overview 2016

Vision

Trusted with the responsibility of an exceptional education, Beacon graduates are bold contributors to a more authentic, just, and

compassionate world.

477 Longwood Avenue Boston, MA 02215 617-423-2266www.beaconacademy.org

Beacon identifies, confronts, and bridges the gap between low-income students and their more affluent peers.

The NeedBoston’s urban students of color are:• Dropping out of high school at

unacceptable rates• Learning in over-crowded/under-

resourced classrooms• Graduating from college at a rate

below 10%• Experiencing limited upward

mobility

The OpportunityBoston-area private schools are:• Providing world-class education• Exposing students to myriad

opportunities• Looking for capable and qualified

urban students from Boston• Offering ample financial aid

Beacon Academy• Extra 14 months• Rigorous academics• Cultural exposure• Civic engagement• Placement in right-fit high schools• High school and college guidance

Table of Contents

The Education Divide 1

Beacon Academy Overview 2

Outcomes 4

Student Demographics 5

Recruitment & Admissions 6

Academics 7

High School Placement 10

Alumni 12

Strategic Outreach 14

2015-2016 Budget 15

FY 2015 Donors 16

Board of Trustees & Corporation 18

The Education Divide

Boston Public School(Non-Exam)*

Independent School

Class Size 25 - 32 12

Cost per Student $11,855 $44,063

Cumulative Cost K-8 $232,680$106,695

Graduation Rate 100%55%

*References: Boston Public School’s Report, The Boston Foundation’s January 2015 Opportunity Agenda Report Card, sampling of five local independent high schools.

Avg. Number of Offered AP Courses (if available) 4 18

College Enrollment 100%34%

College Completion (not reported)17%

College CompletionBlack/Latino students

(not reported)<10%

Avg. SAT Critical Reading Score

670364

682399

680.5364

Avg. SAT Math Score

Avg. SAT Writing Score

(not reported)85.8%Student Attendance

The Cost of Under-EducationEstimated Lifetime Net State & Local Tax Contributions By Educational Attainment Taxpayers Aged 18-64

Statistics from Northeastern University

1

High SchoolDropout

High School Diploma or GED

Associates Degreeor Some College

Bachelors Degree

-$73,649.00

A typical Beacon family starts here

$150,259.00

$262,475.00Beacon’s Goal

$71,111.00

“At Beacon my teachers saw me as a whole person. They expected me to work harder than ever before in my classes, but they also expected me to challenge myself beyond the classroom. They showed me parts of the world and life that I never knew existed. Now, as a junior at Northeastern, I am ready to be a leader in my community and tackle social injustices. From the care packages to college advising, Beacon has never left my side. The kids are my family, and Cindy, Mervan, and Marsha are my guideposts.”

- Monée Neal, Beacon Academy ’08, Stoneleigh-Burnham School ’12, Northeastern University ’18

14 months that last a lifetime

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• 100% of our first six classes have graduated from high school.

• 90% of our first six classes have received or are currently pursuing a college degree.

• 100% of the Class of 2011 graduated from high school last spring and have entered four-year colleges this fall, including Brandeis University, Haverford College, Simmons College, and Wellesley College.

• Of our most recent graduates, the Class of 2015, 100% have enrolled in private schools with all necessary financial aid. Schools include: Buckingham Browne & Nichols, Concord Academy, Dana Hall School, Kents Hill School, Noble and Greenough School, among others.

• More than 80% of our graduates win athletic, academic, and leadership awards in high school. Several have been class presidents.

• 96% of our students stay connected to Beacon and to each other.

Beacon Academy Outcomes2006 - 2015

An investment in Beacon helps students earn four-year scholarships for high school and college.

A Beacon Year$25,000

4 Years of High School

Day: $175,000Boarding: $228,000

4 Years of College$200,000 or more

185 graduates have earned over $38 million in scholarships

Leverage

Results

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Beacon: An Academic Game Changer

Beacon Academy is a 14-month school between 8th and 9th grades designed to prepare promising, motivated, and hardworking urban

students for success in competitive independent schools and beyond.

Vision

Trusted with the responsibility of an exceptional education, Beacon graduates are bold contributors to a

more authentic, just, and compassionate world.

History

Founded in 2004, our school is the first of its kind in the country and was founded by Cindy Laba, General Manager, and Marsha Feinberg, Chief Executive Officer. Cindy and Marsha are uniquely suited to lead Beacon Academy because of their combined past experiences in social work, education, and non-profit leadership. Cindy had the idea for an extra year of school between 8th and 9th grades after her work at a Boston charter high school. She was deeply disappointed by what she saw, especially compared to the education that the children of her more affluent friends were receiving in private schools. Cindy and Marsha started Beacon Academy because they believed deeply in the ability of low-income students to excel in competitive educational environments, in their ability to positively impact school communities, and in confronting the social injustice currently characterizing our school systems.

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Beacon Academy Alumni Demographics

185 Graduates: 94 Girls 91 Boys

Beacon Academy Class of 2016

• 13 girls and 7 boys• 45% Black, 40% Latino, 10% White, 5% Asian• Come to Beacon from Allston, Cambridge, Dorchetser,

Hyde Park, Lynn, Revere, and Roxbury

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Beacon Academy alumni at the 10th anniversary celebration at the House of Blues

Exposed to Beacon presentations through high

school fairs and talks

Make inquiries and visit

Accepted to Summer Program

Class of 2016

Invited to interview and apply

100

31

20

500

150

Middle School FacultyAfter-School Partners

Beacon Students, Alumni, and Families

Recruitment Partners

Independent Schools

Who is the Right Student for Beacon?

A student who...• Loves school• Earns mostly A’s and B’s at a local public or charter school• Has a champion in his or her life• Is willing to fully commit to an extra year of demanding

course work and personal growth

Admission to Beacon: By the Numbers

6

Academics

Teaching Philosophy

Beacon Academy offers students a challenging curriculum and essential cultural and social enrichment to prepare them to enter independent secondary school environments with confidence. We emphasize problem solving, collaborative education, culturally inclusive learning, and sensitivity to students’ cognitive styles. Our small classes foster a high degree of student-teacher interaction, and our teachers are committed to addressing the individual needs of each student.

Full-Year Courses

Full-Year courses include English, Math, Current Affairs and Facing History and Ourselves, Writing, Visual Thinking Strategies, Community Service Learning, and Habits of Mind.

Mini Courses

In the Fall Term, our students take classes to prepare for the SSAT and secondary school application process.

Our Spring Term aims to acclimate our students to a full schedule of classes and activities that will mimic their high school schedules. Courses added in the Spring include Latin, Research and Advocacy, and Science.

Summer Session (5 weeks)

Each student is admitted conditionally to Beacon’s summer program, which consists of five weeks of intense study, exploration, reflection, and a lot of homework. Students enter the next class of Beacon Academy upon the successful completion of these five weeks. At the end of the summer session, Beacon students join volunteers and alumni on Martha’s Vineyard to be welcomed into the Beacon community and to a year that promises to be both challenging and rewarding.

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Full-Year Courses

English

Students submit writing assignments several times a week, master tough grammatical concepts, and dramatically increase functional vocabulary.

Students learn to:• Read for theme rather than plot and gain an

understanding of narrative tools• Present opinions in an articulate and convincing

manner • Develop an understanding of grammar and an

appreciation for precise expression• Master more than 1,000 vocabulary words and

understand their etymologies and connotations• Read works in several genres: novels, poems, and

essays• Novels include The Old Man and the Sea,

Of Mice and Men, To Kill a Mockingbird, Romeo and Juliet, The Catcher in the Rye, The Chosen, and The Bluest Eye

Math

Students learn how to think as mathematicians, become acutely aware of the myriad uses of mathematics around them, and utilize quantitative analysis to make sense of their world. Students cover two to three years of math content to develop a mastery of arithmetic and algebraic concepts, including:• Number sense• Fraction operations• Proportional reasoning• Linear, polynomial, and quadratic equations

Teachers use multiple resources, including Carnegie Learning Math textbooks, graphing calculators, supplementary materials, and online resources to accomplish these goals.

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Current Affairs and Facing History and Ourselves

In this course, students examine history in all of its complexities, including its legacies of prejudice and discrimination, resilience, and courage. Students develop confident voices in the critical discussions and debates of their community, history, and nation.

Curriculum includes:• Holocaust and Human Behavior• Choices in Little Rock/Choosing to Participate• Transitional Justice in Rwanda

Writing

Beacon’s Writing Program provides students with the skills to:• Write effective personal essays, persuasive

arguments, and research papers• Diagnose and eliminate grammatical errors• Master the process of writing, from brainstorming

strategies to revision techniques • Develop convincing arguments of their own with

specific examples and insightful analysis

Visual Thinking Strategies

Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is a method initiated by teacher-facilitated discussions of art images and documented to have a cascading positive effect on both teachers and students. Through VTS’ rigorous group problem-solving sessions, held twice per month at the Museum of Fine Arts, Beacon students cultivate a willingness and ability to present their own ideas, while respecting and learning from the perspectives of their peers.

Community Service Learning

In the course of the year, Beacon Academy students participate in several community service projects, including a weekly Reading Buddies program with the Temple Israel FJECC preschool. Civic action is an important component of Beacon Academy in order to help our students develop a commitment to social responsibility and active citizenship.

Habits of Mind

In this weekly class, students practice and master skills necessary to navigate life in the 21st Century. Topics include:• General organizational skills, including use of a planner• Technology skills, including typing, Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Drive• Resumes, cover letters, job applications, and interviews• Personal Finance• Health and Nutrition

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High School Placement Process

• Beacon matches students with right-fit schools. • Placement is based on academics, learning styles, school

culture, boarding vs. day, and financial aid. • Students visit and apply to between six to eight schools. • Volunteer secondary school “coaches” work with families

to help navigate the application process, drive students to interviews, and share cultural enrichment experiences.

• Beacon offers financial aid workshops for parents. • Inspirica provides SSAT prep classes.

Partner Schools

More than four Beacon students have attended or are currently attending these independent high schools. A full list of high school and college matriculation can be seen in the following pages. We continue to work closely with other independent high schools who are excited to partner with Beacon.

Belmont Hill School (4)

Brimmer and May School (9)

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (12)

Buxton School (5)

The Cambridge School of Weston (5)

Commonwealth School (8)

Concord Academy (12)

Dana Hall School (7)

Fryeburg Academy (8)

Kents Hill School (7)

New Hampton School (5)

Noble and Greenough School (6)

Waldorf High School of Massachusetts Bay (8)

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High School Placement 2006-2015

Archbishop Williams High SchoolBeaver Country Day SchoolBedford High SchoolBelmont Hill SchoolBoston College High SchoolBoston Trinity AcademyBrimmer and May SchoolBuckingham Browne & Nichols SchoolBuxton SchoolCambridge Rindge & Latin SchoolThe Cambridge School of WestonCathedral High SchoolCatholic Memorial SchoolChapel Hill-Chauncy Hall SchoolChelsea High SchoolCommonwealth SchoolCommunity Charter School of CambridgeConcord AcademyCristo Rey Boston High SchoolDana Hall School Dexter SchoolElizabeth Seton AcademyFryeburg AcademyGould AcademyThe Governor’s AcademyThe Groton SchoolThe GunneryHebron AcademyHolderness SchoolThe Hotchkiss School

Hyde SchoolKents Hill SchoolKimball Union AcademyLawrence AcademyLexington Christian AcademyLoomis Chafee SchoolThe Masters SchoolMeridian AcademyMiddlesex SchoolMilton AcademyNew Hampton SchoolNewton Country Day SchoolNoble and Greenough SchoolJohn D. O’Bryant SchoolPhillips Academy AndoverPhillips Exeter AcademyPortsmouth Abbey SchoolProctor AcademyThe Roxbury Latin SchoolSt. George’s SchoolSt. Mark’s SchoolSt. Sebastian’s School Stoneleigh-Burnham SchoolTabor AcademyThayer AcademyWaldorf High School of Massachusetts BayWilbraham & Monson AcademyWilliston Northampton SchoolThe Winchendon SchoolThe Winsor SchoolWorcester Academy 11

Beacon Alumni

Over the last ten years, we have identified some major barriers to our students’ success in high school and college. As part of our Strategic Plan, we are significantly increasing our investment of time and resources in this area.

High school and college support includes:• Five annual alumni events to keep our students grounded in their Beacon family• 9th grade transition support• Course selection advice throughout high school and college• One-on-one meetings with leadership team and volunteers to advise and guide alumni • Access to emergency funding for books, medical needs, and other necessities• Individual tutoring and preparation for the SAT and ACT • College advising, including essay-writing boot camps• Letters of recommendation for college applications• Support to access gap funding and scholarships• Transition support to college campuses • Career guidance and mentoring

High School, College, and Beyond

Alumni Program

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College Matriculation 2010-2015

Allegheny CollegeAmerican UniversityAssumption CollegeBabson CollegeBentley University (2)Bowdoin CollegeBrandeis UniversityBunker Hill Community College (3)Central Connecticut State UniversityCollege of the Holy CrossColorado CollegeConnecticut College (2)Elms CollegeEmerson CollegeEmmanuel CollegeFramingham State UniversityThe George Washington University (3)Georgetown UniversityGoucher CollegeHamilton CollegeHunter CollegeKenyon CollegeLa Salle UniversityLasell CollegeLong Island UniversityLoyola University New OrleansMass Bay Community CollegeMassachusetts College of Pharmaceutical HealthMcDaniel CollegeMerrimack CollegeMoravian CollegeMorehouse College Muhlenberg College (2)New York UniversityNichols CollegeNortheastern UniversityOhio Wesleyan UniversityPlymouth State CollegeProvidence College (2)Quinnipiac CollegeRegis CollegeRobert Morris UniversityRoger Williams UniversitySimmons College (2)Skidmore College

Smith CollegeSouthern New Hampshire UniversitySuffolk UniversitySyracuse UniversityTufts University (3)Tulane UniversityUniversity of MarylandUMASS AmherstUMASS Boston (4)UMASS Dartmouth (2)UMASS Lowell (2)Union CollegeUnited States Air ForceUniversity of New MexicoUniversity of TampaVassar College

Zora Jackson-Bartelmus, Beacon Academy ‘09, Concord Academy ‘13, Colorado College ‘17, studying abroad in Italy.

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Strategic Outreach

Over the last decade, Beacon’s staff, faculty, and trustees have come to realize that our direct work with our students, graduates, and their families is not enough. As Beacon graduates enter high schools and colleges, these next environments can present hidden barriers to their success that we must address as an essential part of supporting them. Even many people in our community do not fully understand the complex issues of racial and socioeconomic inequality that impair the potential of all low-income students. Beacon works in partnership with our secondary schools to create more supportive environments in their schools and to facilitate discussions for independent school boards, faculty, and students. In 2014 Beacon Trustees approved a strategic plan to guide our work for the next three to five years. One of the goals outlined in the plan was to “increase our impact by sharing our deep understanding of how to confront the enormous barriers to success created by poverty and under-education.”

Below is a sampling of our work and outcomes in reaching this strategic goal:

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5education training films

produced by Cengage have been distributed nationally.

They highlight Beacon’s innovative educational

approach.

75volunteers engage in our work every

year. More than 70% return year-after-year; 90% stay in contact with their students.

400new people are

introduced to Beacon each year through

volunteer engagement, open houses,

informational breakfasts and lunches, symposia,

educational forums, fund-raisers, and

co-curricular events.

30+events bring in over

750 people to Beacon each year.

2000people receive

communications each month featuring

Beacon’s work, national articles, alumni

reflections, volunteer insights, and more.

SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

Geraldine BrooksCharlotte Kahn

Rosabeth Moss Kanter SA Katherine RundleDr. Charles SteinbergRobert M. Thomas, Jr.

Gloria White-Hammond

Program Amount Percent of Total

Beacon Academy $847,604 61%

Alumni Support $351,511 25%

Strategic Outreach $193,211 14%

Total Budget with In-Kind Rent $1,392,325

Total Budget without In-Kind Rent $1,275,325

2015-2016 Budget

Beacon Supporters by Type in FY15

• 83% individuals• 9% family foundations• 7% corporate foundations• 1% drawdown from endowment

Beacon Academy

Alumni Support

Strategic Outreach

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Bonnie LeightonJessica LutzkerRebecca Mailer-HowatPolly MaroniMarlyn McGrathAlison Meyer HongSue MisselbeckRosabeth Moss KanterNicole MurrayDebbie NachlisKevin ParkeDon PutnoiFran PutnoiPolly RibattRobyn RisebergTeresa RodriguezSloan SableJocelyn SandDavid SchechterGary SmithLorraine Smith, P’06Lynne SmithSam SolomonLonna SteinbergRobby SteinbergJeff SternJoan SubrinBob ThomasShifteh VeyssiSarah White SmithLinda WoodardSteve Woodsum

Brittany BakerMorgan BakerSally BakerMalcolm BertramMaribeth BrostowskiRobert BrownThadine BrownCarolyn CaseyJohnathan Charles, ’06Fran CollettiDean ConwayCarl DawsonLeslie Dickey Sandy DineJen DolinsSarah DucasPaul FaxonGeorgia FeldmanCorinne FergusonEd FordJanet FoxPolly FrankelClark FreifeldLaurel FriedmanTed GreenwoodLisa GrossBetsy HoughtelingJulia JohannsenMelissa KaufmanKathy KeelerRebecca KelloggMonica Lehner

Board of Trustees

Anna AfeyanJanet BerkeleyJohn M. Borders IVDeedie BouscarenDavid ChapinLyndsay CharronPriscilla CohenMcLane CoverCaroline ErismanMarsha Feinberg, Founder Rebecca ForresterIlene GreenbergWendy HillCindy Laba, Founder Victoria MunroeAllyce NajimyMervan Osborne, Head of SchoolCarolyn M. Peter, Chair EmeritaMary RivetMichael RubensteinAnn RyanAngela Singleton-Scott, P ’08 ’10Mark StanekBeth StonebrakerKatherine Radtke, Clerk

Corporation

Pam Dickinson, ChairAmy McCarthy, Vice-Chair

Ann Ryan, Chair

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FY 2015 Donors

$250,000 or more Ellen and Duncan McFarland*

$100,000 or more Amy McCarthy and Drew Carlson* Rosemarie and Steve Johnson* Ellie and Phil Loughlin* Lovett-Woodsum Foundation* Victoria Munroe and Eric Saltzman *Beth and Michael Stonebraker*

$50,000 or more Anna and Noubar Afeyan Lauren Norton and David Chapin Pam and Ty Dickinson* Laurel Friedman Wendy and Lucius Hill Carolyn M. and Georges Peter* Elizabeth Skavish and Michael Rubenstein*

$25,000 or more Anonymous* Deedie and Michael Bouscaren* Maribeth and Mark Brostowski Lyndsay and Tom Charron Janet Berkeley and Robert Duboff Jill and Mark Engerman Nancy and Richard Lubin Ann D. and George MacomberIlene Greenberg and Michael Maynard* Julie and David McKenna* Abby Johnson and Chris McKown Kyra and Coco Montagu* Carol and John Moriarty* Amy and Bob RandsAnn and Tony Ryan Carol Marine and Rick Smith*

$10,000 or more Debbie and Steve BarnesJane Brock-WilsonTenney and McLane Cover* Lisa and Rob DiAdamo Marsha Feinberg*Jeanne and Sean FitzgibbonGunilla and Kevin Gorman George Gugelmann*Sari Korman and John Hunt Kathy Keeler Bonnie and Tom Leighton Polly and Kevin MaroniMary Ann and Peter Mattoon Suzanne Durrell and Scott McIsaacBrooke and Will Muggia Linda and Edward Owens Priscilla Cohen and Tony Weiner* Robin and Marc Wolpow

$5,000 or more Anonymous* Brenda and Stephane BancelLisa Gruenberg and Martin CarmichaelHugh Chapin Melinda and Harris CollinsPolly CummingsSandy and Harry DineJen and Mark Dolins Downey Family Charitable Foundation Rebecca and Robert Forrester Ellen Remmer and Chris Fox Katharine Olmsted and John Grossman Julia and Peter JohannsenLisa and Roger Krakoff Jeannie and Jonathan LavinePatsy and Bob Lawrence Becky and Mark Levin

Beacon Academy extends its deepest appreciation to all the supporters who gave so generously in our 10th Anniversary Year to both our annual fund and endowment, which we are building to ensure a strong future as we enter our second decade.

*Includes endowment gift

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Jessica and Joshua LutzkerBrenda Haynes and Adam KoppelRebecca and Patrick Mailer-Howat Tristin and Marty Mannion Mary Lou McCollKim Williams and Trevor MillerMaria Connor and Luis Moreno The Offner Family Amy and Andy PalmerLeila and Kevin Parke Jill and Niraj ShahCaroline Erisman and John SilbersteinAngela Singleton-Scott, P ’08 ’10 Rosabeth Moss Kanter and Barry Stein Kerry and Brendan SwordsVictoria Wang

Foundations and CorporationsAlmost Perfect GlassWilliam P. Anderson FoundationAnderson-Rogers FoundationAtlas DigitalThe Boston FoundationCOMSOL, Inc.The Cradles to Career Initiative, TPIFoundation To Be Named LaterThe Furtherance Fund, Inc.Grand Circle FoundationHestia FundHowland, Spence & McMillanRoy A. Hunt FoundationThe Janey Fund Charitable TrustThe Jockers Family FoundationEthel Kennedy FoundationLiberty Mutual FoundationMaurer & Associates Capital ManagementThe Otter FoundationThomas Anthony Pappas Charitable FoundationPartners HealthcareThe Paulist Center BostonThe Rands FoundationClergy – Temple Israel, BostonThe Van Otterloo Family FoundationThe Wellington Management FoundationThe Wellspring FoundationVirginia Industries

Event SponsorsAlexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.BiogenBMW of SudburyCentury BankCharles River AquaticsFive Corner StrategiesFlagship VenturesFoundation To Be Named LaterHK Boardsen, LLCMarcus Partners, Inc.Merrill Lynch/The Sullivan GroupModerna ThereapeuticsSEConn Insurance, Inc.Stoneymeade Equestrian FarmSuper Flash T-ShirtsTHINK : Robert BrownValenti Family of DealershipsVolkswagen of AmericaWalmart Foundation

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Dr e a m R e a l i z e dTiffany Nova Beacon Academy ’07, Concord Academy ’11, Smith College ’15

477 Longwood Avenue Boston, MA 02215 617-423-2266www.beaconacademy.org