For the past 13 years, EdVestors, a school improvement organization in Boston, has awarded its $100,000 Thomas W. Payzant School on the Move Prize to recognize rapidly improving schools that have made exemplary progress in advancing the academic achievement of all students.
During that time only one Eastie school has received the coveted education prize.
That may all change this Thursday as the Manassah E. Bradley Elementary School is poised to take home the prize, and was named one of three finalists vying for the award. The other two schools are the Harvard-Kent Elementary School in Charlestown and the Thomas J. Kenny Elementary School in Dorchester.
If the Bradley is awarded the Thomas W. Payzant prize on Thursday, it will be the second time in two years that an Eastie school has won. Last year the Donald McKay School took home the $100,000 prize, a year after being a finalist during the 2017/2018 school year.
Mayor Martin J. Walsh and BPS Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius will announce the winner of the School on the Move prize Thursday morning during the 14th Annual School on the Move Prize Ceremony at the InterContinental Hotel.
No one, not the Mayor nor the Superintendent, know who will be awarded the $100,000 grand prize until the announcement is made live at the event.
“The Bradley community is thrilled to be a finalist for the 2019 School on the Move prize and proud of the incredible growth our students have made over the last four years,” said Bradley Principal Claire Carney. “At the Bradley, we believe that by tapping into the unique stories of each of our learners and by building strong relationships with staff and families, we have created a joyful and inclusive learning community. It is truly an honor to be considered alongside the Harvard Kent In Charlestown and the Kenny Elementary in Dorchester. The Bradley is the third East Boston finalist in the last three years and would be only the second East Boston school in the history of the prize to win.”
The Bradley Elementary School is located in the Orient Heights section of East Boston, serving approximately 300 students in Grades PreK-5.
Carney said the school prides itself on celebrating the Eastie community’s rich cultural and linguistic diversity as over 60 percent of students speak a first language that is not English.
“We provide a safe, motivating, and inquiry-driven learning environment with high expectations,” said Carney. “Students at the Bradley School have a minimum of five enrichment courses every week that include subjects such as robotics/technology, Japanese, music, art, physical education and science.”
At the Bradley educators, administrators, families and the community work collaboratively to establish a nurturing and inclusive environment where students become courageous and confident citizens.
“As a late start school, we also offer the BOKS before-school fitness program two days per week,” said Carney. “This program is funded by a three-year grant from Reebok. There are also several academic and recreational programs available in the East Boston area for students to attend after school.”