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From YouTube: Boston Prep Charter School Ribbon Cutting
Description
Mayor Walsh cuts the ribbon on the newly renovated Boston Prep Charter School in Hyde Park. The school focuses on preparing its students for college and boasts some of the highest acceptance rates in the city.
A
A
This
is
an
incredibly
exciting
and
proud
moment
for
Boston
prep.
We
began
this
year
just
a
couple
of
weeks
ago,
our
15th
year
of
operation
and
what
is
our
permanent
home
and
if
you
know,
Boston
prep,
you
know
our
ambitions
are
high
and
we
constantly
set
our
eyes
on
excellence
to
dates
and
seniors
started
graduating
in
2011,
a
hundred
percent
of
our
students
have
been
accepted
to
four-year
college.
Ninety
nine
percent
have
matriculated
and
80
percent
are
on
the
path
to
graduation
or
have
graduated.
A
Our
students
are
outperforming
their
peers
on
state
and
local
exams.
They
are
winning
in
in
off
the
court
and
in
the
art
classroom.
They
are
student
leaders,
they
are
the
future
of
the
city
of
Boston
and
while
these
outcomes
are
in
fact
excellent,
we
know
that
we
need
to
improve
every
day
if
we
are
to
deliver
on
our
mission
for
all
students,
and
so
we
ask,
how
can
we
improve,
and
sometimes
that
means
in
access?
And
that
means
having
more
seats
available?
We
started
a
school
of
400.
A
Sometimes
it
means
adding
classes
so
that
students
have
what
they
need
to
be
the
thoughtful
participants
in
future
jobs
and
careers,
and
in
some
instances
it
sometimes
means
you
need
a
facility,
one
that
is
aligned
with
your
college
preparatory
ambitions.
We
needed
science
labs,
we
needed
art
rooms,
we
needed
a
gym,
a
library,
integrated
technology
places
where
teachers
and
students
could
collaborate
and,
as
many
of
you
know
getting
here
to
today,
has
been
quite
a
journey.
A
Our
founder
Scott
McHugh
like
to
say
it
was
a
Boulevard
of
broken
dreams
to
get
here
for
me
a
6-year
moment,
and
it's
only
through
the
generosity
of
so
many
of
you
that
were
here
to
date,
we've
raised
over
eleven
million
dollars
in
capital
funding
to
cover
the
cost
of
this
bill
and
I.
Our
team
is
so
grateful
to
each
and
every
one
of
you.
A
A
B
B
First
thing
came
easily
to
mind:
I
don't
have
to
haul
everyone
to
the
Muni
anymore,
I
taught
PE
classes
in
our
old
building,
where
the
kids
would
change
in
the
bathroom
walk
several
blocks
over
to
the
High
Park
Municipal
Building,
just
to
get
20
minutes
of
fitness
time,
maybe
before
turning
around
and
trooping
all
the
way
back
to
school.
Here
in
our
new
space,
we
can
provide
an
instruction
for
the
full
hour
of
class
time.
B
So
it's
a
huge
advantage
for
me
as
a
teacher
and
the
students
as
well,
and
there
are
many
more
advantages
having
a
physical
home
for
our
teams
to
practice
in
to
host
other
schools
to
develop
school
pride
and
a
program
for
athletics,
not
just
a
loose
collection
of
teams.
This
new
school
passes
the
look
tests,
not
just
in
athletics
but
across
the
academic
disciplines
and
the
facilities
that
are
needed
to
get
students
ready
for
college
parents,
see
that
the
students
definitely
see
that
and
I
know.
B
My
amazing
colleagues
see
and
feel
it
too,
and
my
work
as
an
educator
I've
been
guided
by
the
saying,
be
who
you
need
it
when
you
were
younger,
you
may
recognize
this
quote
from
the
work
of
Brad
Montague.
The
creator
of
kid
president,
or
from
its
origins
and
writings
of
Aisha
Siddiqui
when
I
was
younger.
I
didn't
have
that
positive
role.
Model
to
guide
me
I
didn't
have
the
outlets
and
opportunities
to
grow.
I
didn't
have
many
educators
that
looked
and
talked
like
me.
When
I
was
in
school
here,
I
Boston
Prep.
B
We
give
them
the
freedom
to
try
many
different
things,
pushing
them
to
become
their
own
person.
We
try
to
provide
students
with
many
different
opportunities.
We
give
them
the
space
to
make
mistakes.
We're
hopes
that
next
time,
they'll
make
a
better
choice
in
the
years
of
middle
and
high
school
is
usually
when
you
find
out
who
you
are
and
I
want
to
be
one
of
the
people
among
our
amazing
staff
that
helped
shape
our
students
to
come
into
their
own.
B
Sometimes,
kids
come
to
school
with
a
lot
on
their
minds
or
bearing
a
lot
of
responsibilities
before
even
walking
through
the
door
building.
Those
relationships
is
so
important
in
order
to
get
through
to
the
exciting
opportunities,
opportunities
and
ACT
athletics
opportunities
and
science
and
engineering
through
our
new
Phoenix
Design,
Center
opportunities
and
art
opportunities
in
college.
In
this
way,
our
school
is
providing
what
our
students
need
and
deserve.
B
We
are
being
an
organization
who
the
students
need
now
we
are
being
and,
as
we
grow
now
to
serve
more
students,
we're
able
to
provide
opportunities
for
more
kids.
It's
an
exciting
time
to
be
a
part
of
this,
and
we
thank
you
all
for
contributing
to
the
success
of
our
students
and
of
this
school.
Thank
you.
B
C
Hi,
my
name
is
Ryan
Ajo
cosas
I
am
currently
a
junior
here
at
Boston,
prep
and
I
am
one
of
three
children
in
my
family
that
have
been
through
Boston
prep.
My
brother
attended,
Boston
prep
in
the
eighth
grade
when
we
moved
on
to
the
United
States
from
Ghana
in
2012,
and
he
graduated
and
twenties
of
2017
to
Bucknell
University
through
the
posse
foundation.
C
My
brother,
my
sister,
attended
Boston
Renaissance
when
she
started
k2
and
is
currently
enrolled
in
sixth
grade
here
at
Boston,
prep
I
started
off
fifth
grade
in
an
all-girls
Catholic
school
mother,
Caroline
Academy
and
joined
my
brother
here
at
Boston
Prep
in
the
6th
grade.
My
journey
here
at
Boston
Prep
started
with
this
home
visit
at
2013.
I
came
home
from
school
and
though
this
huge
man
sitting
on
my
couch
apparently
waiting
for
me,
he
got
up
and
gave
me
the
firmest
handshake
and
introduced
himself.
C
Hi,
Carrie
and
I
gave
him
a
look
that
that's
not
my
name
I'm
mr.
Blitzer
and
I
teach
her
brother
he's
a
really
great
student.
I
didn't
know
what
to
think
about
this
like
this.
Had
nothing
to
do
with
me.
I
was
so
confused
what
this
was.
He
sat
me
down
asked
me
what
I
like
to
do
my
favorite
subject
and
such
by
the
end
of
this.
He
act
to
take
a
picture
of
me
to
put
name
to
face.
I
didn't
I
was
not
ready
to
take
a
picture.
C
I
was
in
my
gym,
uniform,
not
picture
ready
when
he
left
I
have
learned
that
I'll
be
joining
my
brother
here,
Boston
family
I,
didn't
know
how
to
feel
about
this,
because
I
met
making
new
friends
all
over
again
and
adjusting
all
over
again.
It
had
already
been
a
big
adjustment,
switching
from
the
British
new
school
system
to
be
changing
to
the
new
school
system
under
the
American
school
system.
C
Another
adjustment
was
changing
from
an
all-girls
Catholic
school
to
Boston
Prep,
a
charter
school
nonetheless,
in
the
fall
of
2013
I
enrolled
as
a
sixth
grader
at
Boston
prep
throughout
the
middle
school
I
was
really
shy,
didn't
say
much
would
help
from
teachers
like
Miss
Gentilly,
miss
Patterson
mr.
e
and
mr.
and
mr.
Harvey
and
mr.
C
Blitzer
I
began
to
blossom
I
began
to
see
that
intensive
home
visit
via
representative
of
the
support
system
I
bought
some
prep
teachers
are
always
there
when
you
need
them
and
make
themselves
available
for
you
any
and
everything
without
Boston,
prep
I
could
say
that
I'm,
not
the
student
I
am
today
I've
learned
to
advocate
for
myself.
I
have
adjusted
to
American
English
and
I
have
developed
some
big
goals.
I
remember
having
college
prep
classes
here
at
sixth
grade
and
having
college
tours
throughout
the
Middle
School.
C
Giving
us
a
head
start
to
think
about
college
was
helpful
because
in
the
eighth
grade,
I
learned
that
I
would
love
to
go
to
at
college
on
our
friends
visit.
It's
crazy
to
think
that
five
years
later,
I'm
here
really
thinking
about
applying
to
college
Dartmouth
College.
Next
year,
my
sister
is
now
in
my
shoes.
C
My
sister
is
now
in
my
shoes
and
she
might
not
understand
why
Boston
prep
does
things
like
strict,
uniform,
black
or
brown
belt,
black
or
brown
shoes,
but
I
know
it
will
pay
off
in
the
near
future.
This
expansion
for
a
school
means
a
lot
to
my
family.
It
means
more
students
getting
the
opportunity,
I
and
my
siblings
had
so
thank
you
to
our
community
and
to
the
people
who
have
been
there
since
day
one
and
to
the
new
supporters
as
well.
C
D
D
D
This
is
an
exciting
day
and
when
a
Sharron,
congratulations,
Eric,
you
don't
have
to
go
the
Muni
anymore.
We
if
you
get
a
chance
going
the
gym
not
only
they
have
a
beautiful
gym
and
the
ability
to
do
so
much
in
there
with
the
young
people.
They
also
have
a
beautiful
seating
section
in
there.
So
you're
gonna
see
it
when
you
walk
around
and
check
it
out,
and
that's
important
today
for
our
young
people
to
make
sure
and
also
when
you
go
and
just
kind
of
take
a
peek
up
at
the
wall
and
I.
D
D
Tamara
and
in
the
entire
board,
thank
you.
I'm,
a
former
board
member
of
neighborhood
I
was
out
of
school.
I
was
a
founding
board
member,
and
our
path
was
very
similar
to
this
path
that
we
started
off
in
a
couple
classrooms,
and
then
we
went
to
st.
Mark's,
which
was
an
old
old
convent
and
then
they're
in
a
beautiful
school
like
we
are
today
and
there's
an
opportunity
to
grow
like
this
school
is
growing
and
the
opportunity
to
give
young
people
in
education
and
what's
important,
is
and
I
say
this
all
the
time.
D
The
test
scores
are
important,
but
what's
important
is
when
you
see
the
numbers
of
90
plus
percent,
getting
accepted
to
college
80,
plus
percent
graduating
that
20%
that
went
to
college
didn't
graduate
they're
not
gone
yet.
I
know
that
it's
a
plan
to
make
sure
they
graduate
I'm
one
of
those
late
late
bloomers
when
it
comes
to
college
I,
was
in
my
40s
when
I
graduated
college.
D
So
it's
important
to
understand
that
I
want
to
thank
the
elected
officials
that
are
here
they're
standing
here
today,
not
because
that
they're
here
that's
open
a
new
school
they're.
Here
today,
because
they
support
childhood
schools
and
they
support
this
school
and
they
support
all
education
for
our
kids.
That's
why
they
here
today,
you
know
we're
on
the
when
I
was
a
state
Rep.
We
had
that
opportunity
that
to
make
sure
the
funding
was
there
and
worked
to
make
sure
the
support
was
there
that
we
don't
be
divisive
and
say
well.
D
This
is
a
child
of
school
over
here
and
there's
a
public
school
over
here
and
there's
a
private
school
in
the
Catholic
school
over.
Here.
That's
not
how
young
people
learn.
You
know
people
learn
by
different
experiences
and-
and
some
of
the
kids
that
are
behind
us
is,
you
heard,
come
from
Catholic
school,
some
come
from
private
school,
so
I'm
coming
from
parochial
school,
some
come
from
from
public
school
and
that's
what
we
should
focus
on
in
the
future.
D
One
of
the
things
I
talk
about
neighborhood,
a
lot
strikes.
I'm
I
was
a
board
member
there,
but
one
of
the
first
places
I
got
invited
to
when
I
became
mayor
of
Boston
is
to
speak
at
Boston.
Perhaps
annual
toast,
celebrating
the
ten
year
anniversary,
I,
remember
back,
then
the
the
incredible
sense
of
excitement
and
in
the
talk
of
the
next
step
of
this
great
school
and
the
legacy
of
this
great
school
and
and
the
students,
all
the
students
that
are
here.
D
The
reason
why
I
ask
you
to
raise
your
hand
is
because
you're
standing
on
the
shoulders
of
the
naught
of
the
alum,
the
alum
who
came
here
when
they
didn't
have
this
this
school
here
and
they
were
learning
in
smaller
classrooms
and
and
we're
talking
about
the
idea
class
earlier
these
you're
right
room
here.
The
first
thing
I
walked
in
I,
noticed
the
light
through
the
window
and
to
have
a
real
good
room.
D
You
need
to
have
great
light
in
this
great
light
in
the
out
room,
which
I
think
is
in
the
corner
here
and
it's
different
from
the
cart
you
had.
That
was
pushed
around
the
old
place.
You
know
going
the
Muni
building
walking
down
the
street
to
go
to
a
gym
whether
it's
play
basketball,
volleyball
or
just
get
exercise.
D
This
is
an
incredible
milestone
here,
the
optimism,
the
hope
the
excitement
only
grows.
One
thing
that
always
strikes
me
about
Boston
Prep
is
the
students
represent
the
diversity
and
the
promise
of
Boston's
youth.
Each
person
brings
a
unique
perspective
to
the
table.
Many
of
the
people
have
overcome
many
of
the
students
have
overcome
challenges
or
what
I
mean
by
those
challenges.
Some
immigrants
that
came
from
a
different
country,
some
have
come
from
neighborhoods
that
that
that
always
have
this
label
of
being
a
tough
neighborhood
and
trying
to
make
sure
you
move
forward.
D
Some
have
come
with
challenges,
their
own
learning
challenges
and
I.
Know
myself
speaking
for
myself
personally,
that
if
they
did
did
an
assessment
of
me,
probably
in
in
fourth
or
fifth
grade,
they
would
have
found
out
that
I
had
a
DD,
ADHD
and
and
and
all
kinds
of
other
things
going
on,
but
they
didn't.
D
They
didn't
study
back
then,
but
today
the
kids
come
overcome
that
and
they
bring
they
bring
those
challenges
to
the
school
so
that
the
young
people
can
perform
at
all
high
the
highest
level
of
excellence
and
knowing
that,
no
matter
what
you're
faced
with
in
front
of
you,
you
can
be
successful
and
you
become
you
can
become
whatever
you
want.
The
model
here
at
this
school
is
one
mission,
one
team
one
school
think
about
that
for
a
minute
today,
especially
today
in
the
culture
of
our
city
of
our
state
of
our
country.
D
D
The
motto
of
this
school
is
one
mission,
one
team
in
one
school
and
what
that
does
it
lifts
everyone
up
and,
as
everyone
gets
lifted
up,
it
gives
young
people
the
opportunity
to
be
as
successful
as
they
want
to
be.
The
same
belief
in
Brotherhood
and
sisterhood
is
the
reason
why
Boston
is
stronger.
We
need
to
continue
to
take
the
motto
here
and
go
across
our
city
and
talk
about
that
and
go
across
that
state
and
go
across
our
country
and
talk
about
that.
D
We
believe
that
when
we
rise
up,
we
only
rise
up
when
we
rise
together
and
it's
important
for
us
to
continue
that
we
look
out
for
one
another,
and
we
know
that
that
is
what
is
happening
here
and
that's
what
we
have
to
make
sure
that
happens
in
all
of
our
schools
in
our
city.
Boston
Prep
represents
another
Boston
value
resilience
for
years.
This
facility
was
just
a
dream.
It
was
a
hope.
D
It
was
a
hope
by
the
administrators
and
the
board
members
and
the
parents
and
the
kids
going
to
school,
but
you
still
gave
your
students
the
opportunity
they
needed
to
excel
in
academics,
in
sports
and
in
life,
arts
and
in
life.
You
become
one
of
the
top
performers
and
I'm
now
in
Massachusetts,
and
there's
no
limit
to
how
high
this
school
can
soar
and
there's
no
limit
to
understanding
how
much
this
school
can
help
and
teach
other
schools.
So
we
can
learn
from
each
other
and
work
together
to
move
forward.
D
This
school
unlocks
incredible
potential
for
students.
These
young
people
have
the
fully
equipped
science
labs,
a
design
center
integrated
technology
in
every
single
classroom.
What
does
that
mean?
That
means
that
all
of
these
companies
that
are
moving
to
our
city,
we
talk
about
every
day
we
hear
about
GE.
We
here
to
talk
about
vertex.
We
talk
about
tech
startups.
We
talk
about
medical
facilities.
All
of
these
different
institutions
are
looking
for,
what's
being
taught
at
this
school
for
the
qualities
of
the
young
people
that
are
going
on
to
college.
D
This
school
is
beautiful.
It's
nurturing
and
allows
students
to
receive
the
end
of
individualized
supports
that
they
need
I
know
how
important
this
community
is.
I
saw
it
firsthand,
as
we
can
see
as
we
walked
around
here
today.
There's
a
parent
here
today.
I
won't
embarrass
her,
but
her
daughter
graduated
the
school
last
year
and
she's
a
college
right
now
and
she's
doing.
D
What
this
school
has
done
for
that
young
woman
is
advance
her,
so
when
she
goes
to
college
she's,
taking
what
she
learns
here
at
this
school
and
bringing
it
to
the
school
that
she's
in
today
and
showing
that
school
in
a
different
state.
What
we
do
here
in
Boston
in
particular,
what
happens
here
at
Boston
prep,
so
I
want
to
congratulate.
D
We
owe
it
to
our
young
people
that
when
I
go
into
a
fifth
grade
class
and
I,
ask
the
people
young
people
what
they
want
to
do.
They
raise
their
hand.
They
say
I
want
to
be
a
doctor.
I
want
to
be
a
lawyer.
This
is
some
reason.
Lot
of
people
want
to
be
FBI.
Fbi
agent,
I
want
to
be
a
teacher.
I
want
to
be
a
police
officer.
I
want
to
be
a
firefighter
I
want
to
be
a
mayor.
I
want
to
be
a
president.
D
We
need
to
make
sure
that
when
they
have
those
dreams
in
fifth
grade
that
they
have
the
dreams,
it's
our
responsibility
to
prepare
them.
Just
that
puts
them
in
a
situation
that,
when
they
want
to
go
for
that
dream,
that
they're
able
to
do
that
dream,
that's
what
this
school
behind
me
does
today.
That's
what
the
parents
that
are
here
today
with
us
do
that's
what
the
alumni
have
done
so
too.
D
My
message
is
very
clear
to
all
the
Boston
prep
pools
from
whose
Boston
prep
right
now
in
this
school
I
want
you
to
think
about
what
you
want
to
do
when
you
grow
up
and
whatever
it
is
that
you
want
to
do.
You
can
accomplish
that?
If
you
just
do
a
couple
of
things
go
to
school
every
day,
listen
to
your
teachers!
Ask
the
questions
that
you
don't
have
an
answer
to
don't
be
afraid
to
dream
and
don't
be
afraid
to
make
mistakes
along
the
way,
because
they'll
make
you
stronger
and
better.
Congratulations!
E
So
I'm
Tamara
Olson
the
chair
of
the
Boston
print
board.
Thank
you
for
the
introduction
I'd
like
to
say
that
the
fundraising
was
a
massive
team
effort
certainly
played
a
small
role,
but
would
also
like
to
acknowledge
Bill
Clark.
The
who
preceded
me
as
board
chair
and
just
amazing
work
to
really
make
this
building
a
reality.
E
So
this
beautiful
building
behind
me
is
home
to
a
community.
It's
a
community
of
families,
students,
faculty
alumni
and
more
it's
a
community
whose
success
relies
on
every
member
of
the
group,
contributing
again
one
team.
We
have
one
mission,
one
team
and
I'd
like
to
represent
members
of
that
community
to
join
me
behind
this
ribbon.
First
representing
our
community
and
elected
leaders,
mayor
Marty,
Walsh,
representing
Boston
prep
students,
kurayan
Agyei,
a
cosa
representing
Boston
Prep
alumni,
a
member
of
the
founding
class
of
students,
Donovan
birch
yay.
E
That's
awesome,
representing
our
fantastic
teachers
and
faculty
executive
director,
Sharon
lizanne
key
and
athletic
director
Eric
Tabb,
representing
the
Massachusetts
Department
of
elementary
and
secondary
education,
senior
associate
Commission
Commissioner
for
educational
options,
cliff
Chuang.
Thank
you
joining
me
to
represent
the
Boston
prep
board
of
trustees.