NEXT STOP: MIDDLE SCHOOL - Boston Public Schools

ESCUELA RAFAEL HERNANDEZ K-8 SCHOOL
61 School St, Roxbury, Mass. 02119
Contact for more information:
María Campanario, Interim Principal
mcampanario@boston.k12.ma.us
617 635-8187 Fax: 617/635-8190
Average Class Size: 25
Theme (s): Expeditionary Learning in a Bilingual/Multicultural School
Please check the
box that applies:
X K-8
___ K-12
___ Middle School
___ MS-HS
___ Other
Any special application processes: Yes
Students currently in fifth grade at the Hernández are guaranteed a seat in the 6 th grade.
Students K1-8 wishing to enter the school must apply during registration in January and will be on the waiting list.
Grades K1-2 are assigned by the district. Once it is determined how many seats are available in grades 3-8 the
school’s Community Field Coordinator will contact you in the order your name appears on the waiting list. The
students will be given a reading comprehension benchmark test (both Spanish and English) to determine ability to
work in both languages. If your child meets the criteria then he/she would be assigned to the available seat.
What makes our school unique?
We are a dual language school (English/Spanish): the first in the city of Boston (1970) and in the state of
Massachusetts. Every student is taught in both English and Spanish regardless of their home language. Students are
engaged in thematic studies, which vary according to the grade and the national standards that must be met. We
are a Discovery School. This allows us to have different curriculum options (not the same texts, tests or schedules) that
are the norm in the school system. We work cooperatively in teams teaching to meet the Whole School Improvement
Plan.
Starting in 2012, the Margarita Muñiz Academy (High School) opened its doors to all high school students who are
learning in a dual language school or who have proficiency in both languages. All our 8 th graders will have a
guaranteed seat available if they choose MMA.
Currently there are 6 Teachers of the Year and 2 Massachusetts Teachers of the Year teaching at our school. The
staff is experienced, innovative and demand excellence from themselves as well as their students. We also have a
low turnover among staff allowing stability in planning long-term curricular goals. The Arts are integrated throughout
the curriculum by both music/movement specialists and classroom teachers in collaboration with one another. The
Hernández community embraces your family so that the needs of each child are met.
Special Opportunities for students:
After School Program with karate, yoga, homework support, African drumming and dance, zumba, arts and crafts
and more
Project Adventure Outward Bound grades 6-8
Museum of Fine Arts collaboration
Various sports such as track, running club, baseball, volleyball
Field trips in accordance with the expedition studied
Recycling Program run by students
Urban Gardens surrounding the school
Awards/Partners:
Numerous Awards have been given both locally and nationally
Middle School Girls Track Champions in 2011
Verizon Young Readers Program in second grade
Boston Public Library partnership for summer reading program designed by our teachers
Celtics Computer Lab 2011/Stay in School Program
Mental Health services through the Boston Institute for Psychotherapy and with various community partners
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