Initiatives / School on the Move Prize / 2022 Winner and Finalists
2022 Winner and Finalists
Winner: Gardner Pilot Academy
Neighborhood: Allston
Grade Levels: Pre-K to 8th Grade
Number of students: 377
Principal: Erica Herman
For the past 25 years, Gardner Pilot Academy (GPA) in Allston has pioneered wraparound student and family support as a Community Hub School, working to eliminate non-academic barriers to learning. The majority Latinx school’s 377 students have access to before- and after-school programs and all classrooms are fully inclusive for students with disabilities.
Primary School Improvement Strategies:
- Implement a Community Hub School model in partnership with families andthe community.
- Ensure GPA is safe, welcoming, and inclusive to all.
- Hire and retain a diverse and highly qualified faculty.
- Implement a core instructional program using a rigorous, culturally relevant curriculum.
Finalist: William E. Channing Elementary
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Grade Levels: Pre-K to 6th Grade
Number of students: 201
Head of School: Carline Pignato
Primary School Improvement Strategies:
- Foster authentic relationships with students.
- Use data to strengthen classroom instruction and accelerate learning.
- Customize instruction based on each student’s needs, strengths, and interests, with a focus on multilingual learners.
Finalist: Charles H. Taylor Elementary
Neighborhood: Mattapan
Grade Levels: Pre-K to 6th Grade
Number of students: 298
Head of School: Jennifer Marks
Mattapan’s Taylor Elementary pairs welcoming warmth with high expectations for their 298 students, 3/4 of whom are Black. Teachers continually improve instruction through peer feedback, data-informed planning, and implementing curriculum with fidelity. The school focuses on encouraging academic conversation between students, particularly for students learning English in the school’s Haitian Creolespecific programs.
Primary School Improvement Strategies:
- Align learning priorities and provide feedback to teachers through Instructional Leadership Team.
- Analyze data and plan together in grade-level teacher teams.
- Provide professional development to teachers on implementing high-quality curriculum with fidelity.