Student Enrollment:  Currently there are 91 Boston students enrolled.

Programs

Axé (A-shay): The Power Within

Axé is the leadership team established as part of the METCO Male Initiative. It is an all male membership, and is comprised of students who possess strong leadership qualities. These students will be the key players in helping to move the male initiative forward, in part by being positive role models to other males of color.

Mission Statement: To empower and inspire young men of color to excel academically, as well as unite and support one another socially, emotionally, and academically.

Axé Membership Criteria:

1. Academics: We discussed that Axe student leaders should be required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 -all members of Axé do not have a 3.0 GPA, however, it was agreed upon that for now they should at least be earnestly aspiring to meet this goal.
2. Leadership: Members of Axe should at all times represent the group in a positive light. This means being held to a high/er standard in regards to social behavior in the hallways, in class, on the school bus, etc. Axe members should be honest, supportive of one another and helpful to others, no school disciplinarian problems, well rounded, open-minded, approachable, have high morals (respect for them self and others, courteous, doesn’t use drugs or drink alcohol, doesn’t use offensive language, etc.).

The following are some of the expectations and goals for the 10-11 school year:

*Foster Brotherhood (create strong ties)
*Create a Network of LS Grads (support system outside of LS)
*Build/Develop personal skills
*Become recognized by school/larger community
*Involvement in leadership roles on campus
*Physical /Mental group development (workout sessions, etc.)

Independent Academic Study (IAS) -This is an elective course for Boston students which provides an opportunity for them to receive additional academic support in any of their courses. Students can either register to take the course on their own, or may be assigned to take it by METCO staff. Tara Zantow coordinates this course.

Cultural Identity Group Seminar (CIGS) - CIGS is a required course for all ninth grade Boston students, and students newly enrolled in the METCO program. The intent of the program is to provide students with an opportunity to explore issues of race and racism, personal and cultural identity, sexism, and gender issues in a “safe” and constructive environment. As these issues affect student achievement and empowerment, we endeavor through this course to affirm students’ positive sense of self, greater racial pride and a feeling of unity with others who share the same concerns, issues and experience. The aim of the course is to support a common quest for academic excellence.

Homework Club (HW Club) - This program begins second quarter until the end of the school year, and takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M.

3.0 GPA Initiative - The METCO Department has had an on-going goal to increase the academic achievement of our Boston student population by establishing an academic standard, raising our level of expectations, and implementing programs and initiatives to inspire and motivate our Boston students to excel academically.

1. Through CIGS we will continue to empower the 9th grade population to achieve academic excellence. This year we are encouraging all ninth grade students to aspire to achieve a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.

• Through discussions in CIGS we will explore what impedes students from doing well in school, how they learn best, what motivates them, the challenges they may face as Boston students and how to overcome them.

Retreats - The purpose of these retreats is to promote unity and collegiality amongst Boston students, as well as provide a cultural and educational experience.