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Smith Leadership Academy Charter Public School

Charter | 6-8 & ungraded | 207 students

 

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Living in Boston

Situated in an inner city neighborhood. The median home value is $220,000. The average monthly rent for a 2 bedroom apartment is $1,290.

Source: Sperling's Best Places
 
Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
Based on 2 ratings

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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8 reviews of this school


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Posted May 13, 2010

This school is the worst school you can ever go to because the principal will expell your child for no reason. It's not really even a charter school.


Posted February 4, 2010

My son has attended SLA since the 6th grade. The school represents itself as having core values, showing integrity, and respect to all. I don think the schools teachers are equipped to handle the student ration in each class. The teacher turn over each year is concerning. If your child is in need of special needs this is not the school to send them to. I beleive that the Principal is doing a good job maintaing the daily operations.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 31, 2009

My son has become more culturally aware and confident about who he is as a person and as a student. Smith offers a rigorous curriculum which makes him think and seek more education. His classwork and homework uses many different skills. All children should have the opportunity to attend this great charter school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 25, 2009

I think school in a whole does not work hard enough in finding solution to one child problem instead the school just make the child repeat his or her grade
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 25, 2009

My son had the experience of going to East Africa Uganda with his history teacher Ms. Hoffman and a few other teachers what a great experience that was for him. Keep up the good work.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 27, 2007

Last year, I was somewhat concerned about the school. Each time I turned around one of my son's main subject teachers was being let go. I felt that was too much for his first year in middle school. He is attending the school again this year, so far I feel pretty good. I experienced my son finding money in the school hall and immediately saying I need to take this to the office. I was so impressed I just smile from behind. I knew then that he was receiving the core values the school has in instealed to make him a better man.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 22, 2006

this school is great they gave students a great education. they have core values which are community cenitenship which means helping others integrity which is telling the truth even when no one is looking personal excellence doing your best
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 18, 2006

Our family is new to SLA this year. I find that it is a positive, inspiring, culturally aware environment. I received an invitation to SLA last year and did not want to change my son's school at that time. But I am glad I made the decision I did this year. I look forward to a continued great year with SLA.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 68% in 2011.

84 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
50%

2010

 
 
19%

2009

 
 
45%

2008

 
 
34%
Math

The state average for Math was 58% in 2011.

84 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
35%

2010

 
 
34%

2009

 
 
42%

2008

 
 
22%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 73% in 2011.

57 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
47%

2010

 
 
51%

2009

 
 
34%

2008

 
 
48%
Math

The state average for Math was 51% in 2011.

56 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
18%

2010

 
 
28%

2009

 
 
8%

2008

 
 
35%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 79% in 2011.

56 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
52%

2009

 
 
74%

2008

 
 
71%
Math

The state average for Math was 52% in 2011.

55 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
38%

2010

 
 
33%

2009

 
 
45%

2008

 
 
29%
Science

The state average for Science was 39% in 2011.

56 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
18%

2010

 
 
5%

2009

 
 
3%

2008

 
 
6%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

All Students50%
Female51%
Male49%
African American48%
Asiann/a
Hispanic57%
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged52%
Not economically disadvantaged42%
Students with disabilities30%
English language learnersn/a

Math

All Students35%
Female38%
Male29%
African American34%
Asiann/a
Hispanic36%
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged38%
Not economically disadvantaged17%
Students with disabilities10%
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

All Students47%
Female46%
Male48%
African American40%
Asiann/a
Hispanic73%
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged46%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilities43%

Math

All Students18%
Female19%
Male17%
African American19%
Asiann/a
Hispanic18%
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged18%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilities43%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

All Students73%
Female85%
Male62%
African American75%
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged71%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilities18%

Math

All Students38%
Female41%
Male36%
African American35%
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged36%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilities0%

Science

All Students18%
Female15%
Male21%
African American15%
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged17%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilities0%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Black 84% 8%
Hispanic 15% 15%
Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander 1% 0%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Asian 0% 6%
Two or more races 0% 2%
White 0% 68%
Source: NCES, 2010-2011

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students participating in free or reduced-price lunch program 87%N/A34%
Source: NCES, 2010-2011

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 12N/A14
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Awards

Academic awards received in the past 3 years
  • Safe and Supportive Schools (2007)
  • "Do the Write Thing" essay winner, first for the state of Massachusetts (2007)

Arts & music

Visual arts
  • Painting
Performing and written arts
  • Dance

Language learning

Foreign languages taught
  • Spanish
School leaders can update this information here.

School basics

School start time
  • 8:00 am
School end time
  • 4:00 pm
Before school or after school care / program onsite
  • After school
School Leader's name
  • Karmala Sherwood
Special schedule
  • Extended/longer school day
Fax number
  • (617) 474-7957

Programs

Foreign languages taught
  • Spanish

Resources

Extra learning resources offered
  • Title I Schoolwide program (SWP)
School leaders can update this information here.

Sports

Boys sports
  • Basketball
  • Cross country
  • Wrestling
Girls sports
  • Basketball
  • Cross country
  • Double Dutch

Arts & music

Visual arts
  • Painting
Performing arts
  • Dance
School leaders can update this information here.

Upcoming Events

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School culture

Dress Code
  • Uniforms
Parent involvement
  • Parent and community relationships are very strong.
More from this school
  • We have a supportive and nurturing environment with a social worker, conflict resolution and ethic classes which help build the character for all of our students. The single sex Math and Science classes allow students to participate and learn in an environment that supports their learning style.
School leaders can update this information here.

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TIP: Don't forget to ask about documents required for enrollment, such as your child's birth certificate, proof of address, or a record of immunizations.

 
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Planning ahead

Students typically attend these schools after graduating
Charter and pilot schools
Private and parochial school
Boston exam schools
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23 Leonard St
Boston, MA 02122
Website: Click here
Phone: (617) 474-7950

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