Academic Center for Enrichment: How it Began, What it Achieved, and How it Will Shape the Future of the School

Winter 2020:

• Formalized DEI Action Steps

• Launched DEI webpage

• Students and faculty participated in AISNE Diversity Conferences

• Begun ‘Read Woke Book Club’ for students and families

Spring 2021:

• Offered community events with Ibram X. Kendi

• PTL Hosted Parent Discussion Series on DEI

• Students, faculty, parents, and trustees participated in the Pollyanna Diversity Conference

• Hired new Director of Diversity, Equity & Belonging Michelle Jones

• Hiring for 21-22 increased representation of historically underrepresented identities among faculty and administrators

The Academic Center for Enrichment (ACE Program) began in 1994 as The Better Learning Center under the direction and leadership of Holly Cotta. At its inception, the Center was open two days per week, housed in a room in the Carriage House Library, and designed as a pull-out curriculum for students in grades 6-12 who had learning differences or needed extra support. Since then, the program has grown to four full-time teachers, serving grades K-12, and moved to its current home on the second floor of the ACE Building, with a Lower School classroom in Perkins.

ACE has also reached into the classroom by collaborating with teachers to utilize accommodations, differentiate instruction, and support all students. It has provided workshops for faculty, as well as coffees and events to help educate the broader community. As part of an independent study, thenSenior Nicole Jourabchi ‘17 served as an example to younger ACE students through open discussions at ice cream socials, regular read alouds to Lower School students, development of an ACE art exhibit, and education of the broader community about learning differences.

According to Jonah L. ‘22, “ACE has impacted my education because the teachers are always available for help and teach us how to self-advocate. The environment is less like a classroom and more like home.”

In the past, the program has taught a 6th grade study skills class. Now, ACE provides regular testing in the Lower School, offers 6th and 7th grade literacy classes in lieu of a world language, and learning skills sessions to the 9th and 10th grade Seminar classes.

Through our Embedded Entrepreneurs program in 2020-21, the ACE program partnered with Mindprint, a new company offering formative cognitive assessments, and tested all ACE students. Exemplifying the school’s motto of Know Thyself, this assessment demonstrates how and why a student best learns and provides strategies to leverage strengths in learning.

ACE will continue after retire and is poised to introduce the Mindprint assessment in a class in each division next year. The program will continue its evolution by combining brain research with educational practices.

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Jody Cicchese Middle School Social Science & English Jillian P. ‘25 Education, Impact

What I’ve Learned as an Educator: