The auditorium at the Dever-McCormack K-8 in Boston is one of the few public spaces in the sprawling complex that can be used to unite students and foster a strong sense of community. Used very frequently by the over 1300 students in the school, its frayed stage curtain does not reflect the caliber or aspirations of its community. This project would allow for the purchase of a new curtain to create a space that instills one of the most important components of a successful school: pride.
With 125 buildings to maintain in the Boston Public School system and faced with recent budget cuts, the district facilities department has been forced to put a hold on projects that aren't deemed essential to student safety. That includes projects aimed to improve school climate; such as the curtain. Without external sponsorship, there is no telling when the students and faculty of the Dever-McCormack would receive the resources to create the environment that every student and teacher deserves
City Year corps members provide academic support, attendance and positive behavior encouragement and community and school improvements. By providing the resources needed to procure a new curtain, this school will be one step closer to having a physical environment that matches the high caliber of the students, teachers and administrators who spend their days there.
Students who progress to 10th grade with their peers are four times more likely to graduate than students who fall behind.City Year's Long-Term Impact goal is to ensure 80% of the students in the schools City Year serves reach 10th grade on track and on time, serving the majority of at-risk students in the locations where City Year serves. City Year focuses on the communities where the dropout challenge is most concentrated, ultimately serving 2/3rds of the nation's dropouts.
