Future Ready School 1 Strategic Goals 10 Impact Priorities 4 Focus Areas 3 Action Items 31 STRATEGIC PLAN 2022-2025
Esperanza Academy Strategic Plan
Esperanza Academy is a tuition-free all-girls middle school built on justice and centered in joy We celebrate, challenge, and inspire each student to find their voice and embrace their brilliance Our program empowers girls to redefine what is expected of them, to counter societal limitations, and to take on challenges that will positively impact the trajectory of their lives in Lawrence, MA and beyond.
Esperanza is built for the future that is emerging. We know what we stand for and where we want to grow. Our focus on academic excellence within a spirit of joy, our emphasis on restorative justice as a way to support community, our inclusion of music therapy to help our students thrive, our emphasis on building self-confidence through pride in identity, as well as our commitment to 12+ years of support for all of our students in combination make Esperanza Academy the kind of school our city and nation needs!
Our Strategic Plan prioritizes four deliberate choices and outlines clear goals across three key areas for the next three years We will address these areas of growth, from strategy through execution, to better support our outstanding students, graduates, and faculty, solidify our position as a school reimagining what urban education can be, and equip ourselves for the most meaningful expansion since we opened our doors in 2006
We are future ready
Academic Excellence
Academic Excellence happens because studentcentered teaching and learning is always high challenge, high support, and high joy
Restorative Justice
Restorative Justice techniques approach relationships from a place of trust and transparency, and discipline from a place of curiosity and compassion
Music Therapy
Music Therapy creates a space for students to express themselves, manage stress, and increase their confidence to meet social, emotional, and academic goals
Love of Community
Love of Community affirms the values and traditions of our students’ cultures to help them see their strengths, value their voices, and thrive in new settings
Graduate Support
Graduate Support is a long-term commitment to walk alongside students on their educational journeys helping them build a roadmap to their dreams
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Esperanza Academy Core Beliefs
We embrace a series of central ideas as the lens through which we see our school and the world around us.
1 We believe that learning and growth happen in a community of justice.
6. We believe that honoring cultural wealth helps students thrive.
2. We believe that creating high-quality learning opportunities for black and brown children is anti-racist.
7. We believe that a longterm commitment to our students helps them disrupt the cycle of poverty.
3. We believe that access to foundational and critical literacies in reading, writing, and math is a right.
8. We believe in the power of community to support and lift our students and their families.
4. We believe that building relationships breaks down walls and challenges bias.
9. We believe that teachers are central to this work and we can’t do it without them.
5. We believe that music therapy supports social, emotional, and cognitive well-being.
10. We believe that there is immense power in being a girl.
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Esperanza Academy Impact Priorities
We have made thoughtful, calculated, and balanced choices in developing our strategic areas of impact.
REFINE EXPAND
We will refine our impact Academic goals focus on developing skills like collaboration and leadership, time and task management, and self-advocacy and self-compassion, that will enable students to thrive at Esperanza and beyond A formalized Graduate Support Center will strengthen our long-term commitment to students, delivering everything from career readiness to interview and salary-negotiation competencies
We will expand our impact Expansion goals focus on moving to a new location so that we can add a lower school to our middle school. By growing our one-of-a-kind model to begin in Kindergarten, we will catch students earlier in life and have more time to move them through our program Our plans set us up as an evidence-based, replicable model that can scale nationally
SUSTAIN MEASURE
We will measure our impact. New measurement goals have been creatively constructed to fully understand our strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. We know what we do matters, but we will pursue new data points that move beyond the limitations of standardized evaluations, to quantify what is qualitative, and put meaningful, actionable information behind critical objectives
We will sustain our impact. Financial health goals support our longevity Our plans steadily build our endowment; set up sustainability funding to support key programs; and create structure for a bold capital campaign in pursuit of our vision.
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Esperanza Academy Strategic
Goals
We are focused now on the mindsets and skillsets required to strengthen academic programming, improve graduate support, and deepen community connections.
GRADUATE SUPPORT
ACADEMIC PROGRAMMING
GUIDED BY OUR MISSION
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
GROUNDED BY OUR CORE BELIEFS
LIVING INTO OUR VISION
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Esperanza Academy: ACADEMICS
GOAL
Students develop “Habits of Learning” that will enable them to succeed academically at Esperanza and beyond These skills and behaviors include selfadvocacy, collaboration, teamwork, leadership; time and task management; and self-efficacy and selfcompassion.
STRENGTHEN ACADEMIC PROGRAMMING
ACTION ITEMS
Embed practice and instruction in Habits of Learning across classes, in addition to robust programming and support in Advisory, Community Morning Meeting, and Academic Support
Develop an ongoing professional development practice for faculty embedded in the academic year.
SUCCESS
80% or more of graduating students will be at “meeting” or “exceeding” in all four Habits of Learning.
WHY? Habits of Learning are the key to academic success throughout students' educational trajectory and can support social mobility and professional success as well When our black and brown students receive explicit, intentional instruction in these habits, they will have the tools to achieve their dreams!
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Esperanza Academy: ACADEMICS
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STRENGTHEN ACADEMIC PROGRAMMING
GOAL
Create an interdisciplinary curriculum emphasizing reading and writing to promote independent and critical-thinking skills
ACTION ITEMS
Curriculum unit mapping creates strong vertical and interdisciplinary alignment, along with a cohesive, inquiry-based curriculum
Strong common instructional framework aligned to Esperanza's Teaching Manifesto.
We believe all our students can meet or exceed grade-level standards
We teach with the future in mind
We expect and encourage all our students to grow each day
SUCCESS
80% or more of graduating students will be at “meeting” or “exceeding” overall for our Argumentative Paragraph Rubric.
Each grade will achieve between 150200% of expected growth on reading MAP from Winter 2022-Winter 2023 and Spring 2022-Spring 2023, with at least 67% of students meeting or exceeding their expected growth
We communicate our high expectations to students
We hold all students accountable for engaging with their learning
PD and evaluations aligned to these instructional frameworks support teachers' and students growth.
WHY? Research shows that strong background knowledge and close-reading skills are critical for students' success. Reading and writing across the curriculum builds on our students' rich,
multilingual, oral language skills and helps them translate those skills into the classroom. Our students' abilities to read, write, listen, and speak critically in an academic setting sets them up to make their ideas heard and prepares them for leadership in any discipline they choose
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Esperanza Academy: ACADEMICS
GOAL
Develop a robust math program that serves our diverse learners.
STRENGTHEN ACADEMIC PROGRAMMING
ACTION ITEMS
Build a "culture of math," where math becomes integrated with, and integral to, daily community life
PD for math teachers so they can deliver instruction that is: equitable, valid, builds skills, and builds problemsolving abilities.
SUCCESS
Each grade will achieve between 150200% of expected growth on MAP from Winter 2022-Winter 2023 and Spring 2022-Spring 2023, with at least 67% of students meeting or exceeding their expected growth.
At least 80% of Esperanza students and faculty surveyed will see math as a joyful, playful practice and opportunity to grow.
Develop a problem-based, rigorous curriculum to support growth, along with an intervention program designed to address unfinished learning through tutoring, small-group work, and research-proven curricula
WHY? Systemic inequities mean that black and brown children often have less access to math instruction, a shortage of experienced teachers, and face racist beliefs that they are not
inherently good at math Yet, our students are as mathematically brilliant as any others By changing the narrative around "who's good at math," we are not only subverting the dominant culture and challenging peoples' preconceived notions, but also giving our students' pathways to STEM careers where they can build a better world for all of us through engineering, medicine, and more.
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Esperanza Academy: GRADUATE SUPPORT
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GOAL
Create an environment where all alumnae feel affirmed, celebrated, and supported
IMPROVE GRADUATE SUPPORT ACTION ITEMS
Establish cohesive mentoring programs rooted in valuable financial and career guidance throughout each graduate’s 12-year journey.
Create a system where graduates can connect with peers, Esperanza faculty and staff, and others so that they can build a critical network of resources
SUCCESS
75% of alumnae actively engage with Esperanza each year (i.e., celebrations and networking events, academic and career counseling workshops, program staff referrals, etc.).
Build a dynamic community through annual social events hosted at Esperanza.
Institutionalize an active alumnae network that will facilitate the best opportunity to link current students with graduates who can serve as critical friends and mentors
WHY? First-generation students face unique challenges, and for black and brown students especially, the chance to pursue higher education and acquire the skills and connections for their dream lives can feel just out of reach. Our long-term commitment, individualized attention, and collaborative approach help address the barriers alumnae face so that they can center their values, identities, strengths, and interests as they pursue their high school, college, and career goals, ultimately stepping into their power and the lives they deserve.
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Esperanza Academy: GRADUATE SUPPORT
Strengthen the impact of Esperanza’s 12-year commitment on first-generation, low-income students 2
IMPROVE GRADUATE SUPPORT
ACTION ITEMS
Gather data from alumnae, parents, high schools, colleges, and others to better understand the strengths and challenges of our academic program and our Graduate Support Program.
Gather and analyze qualitative and quantitative data of our alumnae to better understand our current students' academic and socialemotional needs so they emerge as highly confident alumnae.
SUCCESS
An evaluation/research report/series of surveys to help clarify strengths and areas of growth while simultaneously providing data to measure our impact on graduates.
WHY? By asking our stakeholders to provide us with feedback, we're showing that we value their opinions and experience, and care about what they have to say They become active participants
in shaping our program and feel some ownership in our collective success. Alumnae, family, faculty, and partner research can be used to inform program development, support program improvement, and capture program satisfaction Data and insights will help guide our strategic decision-making
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Esperanza Academy: GRADUATE SUPPORT
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GOAL
Create dynamic career readiness programming grounded in empowerment, self-advocacy, and justice
IMPROVE GRADUATE SUPPORT
ACTION ITEMS
Create more opportunities for alumnae to learn about different career fields by partnering with corporations and community organizations
Support alumnae in all school- and work-related application processes.
SUCCESS
75% of alumnae surveyed indicate that Esperanza’s Graduate Support Program encourages them to persist, grow, and be prepared for all life transitions.
Help alumnae build interview and salary negotiation skills and provide them with valuable mentoring and school and career recommendations.
Develop a mentorship program that will connect alumnae to the leaders in the workforce and grant them the appropriate skills to be career-ready.
WHY? Our students bring unique value and perspectives to the workforce and the world needs them now more than ever Guidance, networking, and visibility can help them forge their paths toward leadership and learn from the experiences of those who have come before them When we seek out and elevate examples of diverse representation within leadership, and create access to meaningful mentoring opportunities, we support our graduates' educational and professional growth.
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Esperanza Academy: IDENTITY + COMMUNITY
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GOAL
Ensure that all students step into their full authentic selves each day through a focus on identity development
DEEPEN COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS ACTION ITEMS
Commit to continuous improvement of our culturally responsive curriculum, with special attention to:
- Connect students' cultures and life experiences with what they learn
- Use music therapy as a means to build self-confidence
- Develop restorative justice practices that advance an inclusive environment
SUCCESS
95% of students surveyed indicate that they feel comfortable expressing themselves in school.
95% of students surveyed indicate that they see themselves reflected in authors, experts, and topics highlighted throughout the school's curriculum
Proactively support a Student-Life program that is focused on voice, agency, and leadership.
Bring more adults to the school through hires, speakers, and volunteers that reflect our students' and graduates' diverse identities and cultural backgrounds
WHY? When we center our students' backgrounds and value them for who they are inside and outside the classroom, we help them see that they don't have to conform to the dominant society's socio-cultural expectations. We are committed to creating an affirming school culture that interrupts bias and primes students with positive associations about who they are and can be in the world.
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Esperanza Academy: IDENTITY + COMMUNITY
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GOAL
Emphasize community belonging to both ensure that students understand the positive impact of being from Lawrence and instill a healthy sense of responsibility for the community in which they live
DEEPEN COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS ACTION ITEMS
Enhance Community Enrichment and Summer Programming with a renewed focus on partnerships that elevate our collective good and lift the City of Lawrence
Share, celebrate, and bring to life the rich history and heritage of Lawrence and its people through creative curriculum integration.
SUCCESS
100% of middle school students are exposed to a minimum of 3 Lawrence community partner organizations/nonprofits.
100% of students surveyed indicate a sense of pride for being from Lawrence.
Highlight women leaders and community members through an Esperanza Speaker Series focused on local stories and voices
WHY? For our students, Lawrence is home, but it is also the backdrop for a critical period in their identity development. Our lives are shaped by our contributions to society, through a collection of decisions
and actions that we make, and from the experiences and events that take place around us. We want them to see the beauty and opportunity in the places and people of Lawrence so that they are always proud of where they came from, no matter where they choose to go in life
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Esperanza Academy: IDENTITY + COMMUNITY
GOAL
Ensure that the hallmark of an Esperanza education is the involvement of parents/caregivers as partners in the education of an Esperanza student
DEEPEN COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS ACTION ITEMS
Develop the parent "Cafecitos" group so that their voice has an impact on decision-making at Esperanza.
Provide educational and employment workshops for families through community partnerships
Create cultural and community celebrations in partnership with families and caregivers.
SUCCESS
90% of parents and caregivers actively and regularly engage as part of the fabric of the school (i.e. volunteering, attending functions, meeting with teachers, sharing their experience with the class through guest speaking, etc.)
WHY? Children learn best when the significant adults in their lives work together to encourage and support them When parents and caregivers actively engage in Esperanza, everybody students, teachers, and the larger school community is stronger because of it. Engaged families boost communication, cultural awareness, and student growth. They are a critical part of what makes Esperanza's success possible and lasting.
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Esperanza Academy: IDENTITY + COMMUNITY
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Combat the effects of early childhood trauma and the current rise in adolescent anxiety by creating an innovative and effective health and wellness center
DEEPEN COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS ACTION ITEMS
Hire a social worker who works with families through difficult circumstances, allowing the school to understand each child fully
Build out the Music Therapy program by establishing an official partnership with Berklee School of Music’s Therapy Center.
SUCCESS
Social Worker in place by FY24
MOU partnership agreement with Berklee signed in FY23.
Exploratory phase for Music, Art, Movement Research Fellow, with recommended next steps, completed
100% of faculty trained through the Center for Restorative Justice at Suffolk University.
Engage donors and community partners in research on the impact of Music Therapy on our students.
Train all faculty in the three tiers of restorative practices
WHY? A comprehensive approach to wellness is an effective way to improve both health and education outcomes for our students A space to learn and practice facets of a healthy life-
style would be transformative in supporting social, emotional, physical, and learning goals for community members now and throughout their lives
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Esperanza Academy Capital Expansion FUTURE
Our Strategic Plan intentionally narrows the areas we want to improve over the next three years as the necessary foundation to move to a new school building with capacity for expanded programming.
GOAL
Provide our students with the ideal space to realize their hopes and dreams!
ACTION ITEMS
Create an inspiring new space to support historically underserved students in critical thinking and communication, creativity and exploration, collaboration, and leadership
Expand our innovative and time-tested program to serve more students and families, starting at an earlier age.
Increase our wrap-around support of graduates, closing opportunity gaps and addressing the unique needs of first-generation students.
Scale components of our model, like music therapy and restorative justice, to broaden the impact of our work on a local, state, and national level
Attract and retain teachers who are gifted educators committed to social justice and antiracist pedagogy.
Establish broad and deep partnerships with community organizations that will help us rise together.
SUCCESS: New school building ready for students in 2025
ESPERANZA ACADEMY MASTER PLAN COMING 2025
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Esperanza Academy Planning Committee
The process of developing Esperanza Academy’s Strategic Plan has been comprehensive, inclusive, and joyful Over the year-long process, our Board of Trustees offered guidance and feedback on the incredible work of the Strategic Planning Committee Special thanks to:
TRUSTEES
Nina Bowman
Managing Partner, Paravis Partners LLC
Barbara Chase
Head of School (Retired), Phillips Academy
Steve Martin
Chief Technology Officer, Harver
Alexandra Nova
Deputy Director, Lawrence Partnership
Elaine White
Head of School, Westminster School
ADVISORS
Daniel Heischman
Executive Director (Retired), National Association of Episcopal Schools
Francelis Morillo Suarez
Esperanza Academy, Class of 2013
Tesha Poe McCord
Founder, Joy Raising
Janet Rogers
Former Board Member
STAFF
Jadihel Taveras
Head of School
Viviana Cordero Garcia
Chief Graduate Success Officer
Delia Durán-Clark
Principal
Tessa Young
Strategy and Impact
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