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BENEFITS OF THE HURLEY
Q: I'm still considering private schools or moving to the suburbs for the public schools. Why should I consider the Hurley?
Here are just some of the benefits according to parents who have sent their children to the Hurley:
Q: What are the benefits of a bilingual education?
Educational experts agree that knowing a second language benefits all aspects of learning and thinking. Acquiring a second language expands understanding of world cultures, improves language skills in one's native tongue, and increases critical thinking skills.
Q: Why not just take a second language in high school?
People can acquire a second language most easily when very young. The innate ability to learn new languages decreases by the time children reach middle school and high school. Moreover, young children are not self-conscious about learning a second language.
Q: How is bilingual education different from taking a foreign language class?
In a foreign language class, students study only the language itself for an hour a day. In bilingual education, the students are taught all subjects in both languages. While at first students are challenged to learn subjects like math in their non-native tongue, children "catch up" fast once they master the second language. Bilingual education focuses not just on fluency in a second language, but on literacy as well.
Q: In the Hurley's bilingual program, do students learn the same material twice, first in one language, then in the other?
No, the lesson plan is continuous throughout the year. The students alternate languages, but do not repeat the previous week's work.
Q: I thought Massachusetts made bilingual education illegal. Does this apply to the Hurley?
No. The Hurley's program is not affected. The referendum initiative ending bilingual instruction was aimed at classes taught exclusively in the native tongues of non-English speaking students. The change in law mandates that these children be placed in 'English immersion classes.' The Two-Way English/Spanish Curriculum is considered a language-immersion curriculum, and is, therefore, in compliance with the initiative referendum. Governor Romney tried to expand the referendum to cover Two-Way Bilingual programs, but he was overridden by the Massachusetts Legislature.
Q: Does the Hurley offer challenging educational programming?
Yes. The Hurley offers rigorous, student-centered educational programming. See our Hurley School page.
Q: Is the Hurley really a good school? Its MCAS scores are not high.
Yes, the Hurley is a good school. Your child will be instructed by talented educators and will be taught the same general curriculum used throughout Massachusetts. Scores are not a litmus test for how good the school is. Rather, they are the aggregate result of the socio-economic profile of a school's fourth-grade students and scholastic achievement in the classroom.
Moreover, the current student population at the Hurley is primarily comprised of second language learners not always fully proficient in English (the language in which the tests are administered). Many students move to the United States and months later are administered the MCAS. All test results are averaged, with no separation of score results between English-proficient students and recent immigrants.
Hurley's overall MCAS scores have also suffered because in past years, the Hurley School did not offer Advanced Work programs that would entice talented fourth graders to stay in the school. Beginning in the 2006-2007 school year, however, the Hurley School is offering a specialized, project-based accelerated work program in grades 1-5 for students that are reading above grade-level. (Read more about this program below). This program is expected to entice and keep talented students at the Hurley beyond third grade, resulting in dramatically improved MCAS scores.
Massachusetts has standardized curriculum frameworks, with the same high standards at all schools. Although specifics may vary, children in Boston are taught the same general curriculum as children throughout the state. Moreover, teachers in the Boston public schools are the highest paid teachers in the state (including teachers at private schools), so many of the most talented candidates with the highest credentials are attracted to the city.
Q: Does the Hurley offer an Advanced Work program?
Beginning in 2006-2007, the Hurley School is offering a unique “Advanced Work” program that is project-based and closely tied to its multi-cultural and dual language curriculum. Unlike other schools’ Advanced Work programs that only begin in 4th grade and emphasize a traditional learning approach, Project Accelerate begins in the 1st grade, and approaches learning through a series of projects that teach students a wide range of critical thinking skills.
Students with advanced reading skills are invited to join Project Accelerate beginning in the first grade, and every grade thereafter. Once or twice a week, during literacy hour, Project Accelerate students in each grade work with the Project Accelerate teacher to develop a multi-week, student-run project that explores a particular subject in depth. Students research topics related to the project, write reports, and work as a team to create a presentation for the school. Students then present the project to each grade, offering students throughout the school the chance to learn from these experiences.
During the 2006-2007 school year, Project Accelerate activities include:
Q: What is the one-mile walk zone?
The Hurley's one-mile walk zone includes the South End, Bay Village, East Fens, Lower Roxbury, St Botolph, and Prudential neighborhoods, as well as much of the Back Bay. In order to promote walking to school and neighborhood unity, Boston Public Schools sets aside half the available kindergarten/first grade slots for children living within one mile of each elementary school. Your child will have a high chance of getting into the Hurley if you live within this one-mile walk zone. More on Walk Zone Preference: http://boston.k12.ma.us/schools/assign.asp. The other half of the pupils may live anywhere in the north zone (see below), both within and outside the walk zone.
Q: What is the north zone?
The Hurley School is in the north zone of the Boston Public Schools. Any child living in this zone may apply to the Hurley School. This zone includes East Boston, the North End, Downtown Boston, the Back Bay, the South End, Roxbury, Mission Hill and Allston / Brighton. More: http://boston.k12.ma.us/schools/zones.asp
