School is back in session! From infancy to adulthood, ABCD is here to support clients in their pathways toward economic mobility through high-quality education and workforce training programs. As we embark on another school year, we wanted to share some of ABCD’s key educational programming and workforce training initiatives.
Early Childhood Education: ABCD’s Head Start and Early Head Start
Since 1965, ABCD’s Head Start’s incredible teachers and staff have provided thousands of low-income residents in the Greater Boston region with the tools and resources needed to transition from poverty to stability and from stability to success. The primary goal of these programs is to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children ages 0 through 5 through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social, and other supportive services. Today, ABCD’s Head Start and Early Head Starts operates 146 classrooms across 31 sites in Greater Boston and last year alone reached 3,472 preschoolers, infants and toddlers. To learn more click here.
Alternative High Schools
Ostiguy High School
In 2006, Ostiguy High School opened its doors as one of the first recovery high schools in the country, and the first and only one in Boston. It was also the first high school in the nation to be accredited by the Association of Recovery Schools. Ostiguy serves greater Boston youth in recovery from substance use disorders who would be in danger of relapsing in their high school of origin. Ostiguy’s carefully designed program gives these young people a second chance to build a successful future as independent, productive adults. Over the past five years Ostiguy has worked with over 300 students and to date 74% of the seniors have earned their high school diplomas. To learn more click here.
University High School
ABCD’s University High School (UHS) is an alternative education high school that offers Boston Public School (BPS) students aged 16-21 who have dropped out or have fallen behind by at least one grade level. Founded in 1989, UHS’ goal is to foster students’ learning and personal development so they can graduate with a diploma, a plan, and the ability to achieve their goals in education, career, and civic participation. Every year UHS works with over 100 students to create tailored learning plans that support them in achieving their goals for high school and beyond. To learn more click here.
Education & Career Development for Adults
GATE
In 2017, ABCD launched GATE (Generations Advancing Together through Education) a multi-million dollar, three-year, cross-sector collaboration funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. In its inaugural year, GATE proved itself to be a model of innovation in workforce development, enabling income eligible parents to start a promising career by getting the training they need, along with affordable childcare while they learn. Since GATE’s launch, 45 participants have graduated and found employment in fields such as banking & finance, office administration, and medicine and many more are currently enrolled on the path to gainful employment. To learn more click here.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Last year, ABCD provided ESOL courses to 680 students. ABCD’s ESOL program offers three levels of classes across the city, including programs designed for parents with children in the Boston Public School System. Many of these programs offer free childcare during evening classes. In addition to learning how to read, write, understand and speak English our annual classes help students to prepare for colleges and careers. To learn more click here.
ABCD Insight 