EKA Achievements
August 1, 2009
Dear Friends:
Dear Friends:
It is my pleasure to present the 2008-2009 Annual Report of Health Careers Academy. It has been a remarkable school year, with tremendous growth, well deserved recognition of school and student achievements, and continued success in preparing students for college and health careers. In this report you will find a summary of our progress toward the goals we established for our school in our accountability plan, as well as documentation of our progress using common school performance criteria. But let me share here a few of the highlights that represent the best of what our school has accomplished over the last year.
- Five HCa seniors were among 25 Boston students selected to be Posse Scholars, recipients of four-year full-tuition scholarships at colleges of their choosing. The Posse Foundation identifies urban public high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential, and prepares them to become leaders and change-makers at Posse partner colleges around the country.
- The HCa valedictorian, Melissa Rocha, was selected as one of the prestigious Bill Gates Millennium Scholars, one of only 5 from Massachusetts, and was admitted to medical school through the University of Rochester Early Medical Scholars program. She is on her way to becoming HCa’s first physician!
- Fourteen students represented HCa at the statewide science fair held at MIT in May. This is our best showing ever, and reflects the excellence in math and science that emerges each year from our rigorous school-wide science fair.
- Two HCa faculty members were among only seven in Boston and 18 in Massachusetts to receive National Board Certification in 2008. This is the highest professional credential granted to teachers who exemplify highly effective, conscientious, and innovative teaching.
- HCa was recognized by US News and World Report with a Bronze Medal, awarded to high schools nationwide to recognize academic excellence and improvement in preparing students for college.
- In addition to the extensive health careers exploration activities that happen during the school day, more than 60 HCa students participated in a wide range of health careers exploration programs throughout the 2008/09 school year. Partnerships with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Mass College of Pharmacy, Mass General Hospital, Bunker Hill and Roxbury Community Colleges, and the American Red Cross provided academic and health-related enrichment programs that advance the health careers dreams of our students.
- The HCa Huskies boys basketball team emerged as statewide league champions in 2009, and captured the league most valuable player and coach of the year awards! Their hard work and perseverance represent the best of HCa’s commitment to success beyond the classroom.
We are proud of the achievements of our faculty and our students, and remain committed to improvement and excellence in the coming years. As always, we invite you to learn more about HCa, and to become involved in our school community, with the commitment of your time, talents and financial contributions.
Sincerely,
Thomas Kieffer
HCa Board Chairperson
Executive Director
Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center
