The Great Divide team investigates the deep inequalities in our public education system, examining both the challenges and possible solutions to creating equal opportunity for all students.
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The latest from The Great Divide Team
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The Boston School Committee on Wednesday night voted to rename a Dorchester high school after civil rights leader Ruth Batson.
The committee members unanimously supported renaming the Boston Community Leadership Academy/McCormack 7-12 School after Batson, who battled for decades against school segregation and for the educational rights of Black students.
“Ruth Batson was just such a deep community member and did so much for our schools with tireless advocacy,” said Superintendent Mary Skipper. “This is, to me, an honor, for us to be able to put forward.”
The school’s governing board voted in June 2023 to adopt the name Ruth Batson Academy, following surveys and meetings with staff, students and other community members, according to school and district leaders.
- Christopher Huffaker, Globe Staff
Read the story: BPS renames school for civil rights education activist Ruth Batson
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Civil rights and education activist Ruth Batson in 1989. Boston Globe Archives
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1,200 high school students find their prom dresses at ‘Belle of the Ball’ drive
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About 1,200 local high school students experienced their Cinderella moments on Saturday at the 20th annual “Belle of the Ball” prom dress drive, walking into the the Hynes Convention Center looking like everyday teens and leaving decked out in jewelry, makeup, high heels, handbags, and gowns.
The invitation-only event allows pre-qualified high school juniors and seniors in need to find their prom attire and accessories free of charge, so the expense isn’t a barrier to them attending the big dance, organizers said.
When a girl arrives at “Boutique Day,” she’s paired with a personal shopper, a volunteer who helps her one-on-one to choose and try on five dresses until she finds her fit. If one set of five doesn’t work, it’s back to the roughly 4,000 other gently used dresses donated by community members ranging from a sequin-studded, full-length purple gown to an understated black velvet V-neck number.
There was lots of smiling and hugging.
- Kajsa Kedefors, Globe Correspondent
Read the story: 1,200 high school students find their prom dresses at ‘Belle of the Ball’ drive
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Let’s put a stop to student hunger.
School isn’t just a place to learn. For children who live in food-insecure households, it’s where both their bodies and minds can be nourished. That’s why we distribute more than 40,000 meals monthly through the Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program. Let’s help ensure students have the food they need to succeed in school and beyond. Learn more.
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Other education news from the Globe
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Let’s put a stop to student hunger.
1 in 8 kids in America live in a food-insecure household, according to the USDA. Hunger has a huge impact on a student’s potential, which is why we establish in-school food pantries through the Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program. It’s just another way we are continuing to feed it forward and help nourish tomorrow. Learn more.
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More about The Great Divide
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The Great Divide examines public education in the region, with humanity and empathy, and with a goal of provoking public discussion, and exploring what might be done to fix core issues of inequality, social mobility, and economic opportunity. Please send us your ideas and suggestions.
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