At Boston Collegiate Charter School, students come from all 13 neighborhoods of Boston. At the school, located in the southeastern neighborhood of Dorchester, students range widely in race, economic status, and prior educational experience. Some take the train or a bus (and sometimes both) from Charlestown or Jamaica Plain; some students walk from just a few doors down, while others make a 40-minute car trek from West Roxbury or East Boston. At BCCS, these students unite and learn from one another.

The staff at BCCS is committed to providing students with a well-rounded, college preparatory education, but we recognize that the most valuable lessons often aren't strictly academic. With this in mind, we seek to provide eye-opening enrichment opportunities to our students from the day they start with us in 5th grade.

Each year, from among our 208 5th and 6th grade students, we send a diverse and select group of 30 to "Farm School" in Athol, MA. For many, the two nights spent at Farm School will represent their first substantial experience outside the urban environment of Boston.  

During their time at the farm, students come together in building a shared sense of responsibility, community, and supportive risk-taking. At Farm School, students who may have never spoken to one another find common ground and become friends. Students who have never tried new things suddenly find themselves motivated to do so (many attendees, for example, reflect fondly on having discovered a latent love for fresh vegetables!).  This overnight trip does more than just teach students about hard work and sustainable living; it teaches them that, despite differences, we all share common emotions: trepidation when milking a cow, exhaustion and pride after a long day’s work, delight at making unexpected new friends.

Families, if able, make a contribution to help pay for part of the cost of Farm School, but our goal is that financial constraints will never preclude a child from attending. A pledge of $50, or any amount you choose, can help sponsor a child's attendance at Farm School, and will go toward paying for lodging, food, and transportation between Boston and the farm. Your contribution will help an urban 5th or 6th grader discover the joys of rural life and the satisfaction inherent in effortful, productive teamwork.

This year, students will depart for Farm School on Memorial Day.

More information about Farm School and about BCCS can be found at www.farmschool.org and www.bostoncollegiate.org, respectively.

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