NEXT STOP: MIDDLE SCHOOL - Boston Public Schools

MARIO UMANA ACADEMY
312 BORDER STREET
EAST BOSTON, MA. 02128
Contact for more information (name/email/phone):
Alexandra Montes McNeil, principal
amontes@boston.k12.ma.us
617-635-8481
Average class size: 22
Please check the
box that applies:
___ K-8
___ K-12
X Middle School
___ MS-HS
___ Other
Theme(s): The Mario Umana Academy is an Expanded Learning Time School with a rigorous focus on academics in
addition to community service, arts, health, nutrition and fitness. We also use the neighborhood as our classroom to look at
local history, the environment, culture and language. Our Instructional Focus is: Read To Know, Write To Show, Speak To
Grow
Any special application processes: No, all students are welcome.
Please be aware that we are an Expanded Learning Time School. Our hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 7:20 a.m. to
3:25 p.m. The Umana has a mandatory school uniform policy; uniforms are available for sale in the school store.
What makes your school unique?
The Mario Umana Academy prides itself on giving students a sense of ownership in the school and local community. We
have many opportunities for success that are enhanced by having an expanded day schedule. We encourage students to
participate in our free breakfast and lunch program. Our school offers a wide array of experiential learning for our students
in conjunction with our community partners, which include: Tenacity, Boston Ballet, Zumix, East Boston Neighborhood Health
Center, Waypoint Adventure, and the Society of Latino Engineers and Scientists. We are able to partner with so many
organizations because of the flexibility within our daily schedule and our commitment to providing a wide range of
opportunities for learning to our students. In addition, our student population is comprised of 52% English Language Learners,
and also includes a highly specialized strand of intellectually impaired students.
Special opportunities for students:
At the Umana, we expect all of our students to succeed. We model our school on the AVID approach and build strong
organizational routines for students to take with them as they move through their academic years and life. A wide array of
academic programs and supports, such as Study Island or First in Math, broaden students’ experiences and reinforce their
academic skills. The expanded day schedule, which adds 10 additional hours to the school week, allows us to provide
these and other enrichment programs. Utilizing the Achievement Network (ANET) and district assessments, we look at data
regularly to monitor student academic progress, and are implementing the Academic Achievement Framework to ensure
that not only are our students’ academic needs being met but their behavioral and emotional needs as well.
After-school/extra-curricular and sports opportunities:
Students can participate in a wide variety of sports and extracurricular activities as part of the school day. These include:
soccer, swimming, tennis, dance, a Future Cities engineering competition and much, much more.
Awards or honors of note:
First in Math – Number one Boston school
First in Math – Number two across the state
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