Why Boston

• In Boston, there is an urgent need for a holistic, individualized, and integrated approach to education for urban middle-school girls who are excluded from society's advantages, for whom a private education is prohibitive, and where dropout rates are high.
• With Boston as ConSoné's campus, the dynamism of the City's urban setting along with its rich culture and history creates many accessible learning opportunities.
• Boston has a myriad of active youth development programs.
• Boston colleges and universities can offer professional development and graduate education for the ConSoné Academy faculty, and graduate and undergraduate students can serve as tutors and mentors in the ConSoné Academy volunteer program.
• Boston's diverse population, neighborhood pride, and cultural heritage are cherished and celebrated.
  

• At ConSoné Academy, it’s all about “the girls”!
• A common rationale for single-sex education is to "minimize distractions."
• The fact that girls' and boys' are different supports the research for single-gender education.
• An all-girls school, providing programs specifically tailored to meet girls' needs, boosts confidence, self-esteem, and academic curiosity.
• At an all-girls school, girls enjoy not just equal opportunity, but every opportunity.
  
• Research has shown that, during middle school years, many students find success more easily when they can learn in a single-sex environment.
• The combination of the community, the culture, and the climate makes an all-girls education a powerful and transforming experience; strong girls become strong women.
  

 
  Why Music

• Learning music in school contributes to student achievement in four important categories:
• Success in Society
• Success in School and Learning
• Success in Developing Intelligence
• Success in Life

• U.S. Department of Education research shows that:
• Students who report consistent high levels of involvement in music over the middle and high school years showed significantly higher levels of mathematics proficiency by grade 12 regardless of a student’s socioeconomic status.

• Music develops skills needed by the 21st Century workforce:  
• Critical Thinking
• Creative Problem-Solving
• Effective Communication
• Teamwork

• U.S. Congress passed Concurrent Resolution 121 confirming that music:
• Strengthens a child's intellectual development
• Improves the environment in which children are educated
• Enhances skills necessary for the 21st Century, including the ability to analyze, solve problems, communicate, and work cooperatively
  
• Furthermore, children involved in music are “less likely to be involved with drugs, gangs, or alcohol and have better attendance in school.”

• A Harris Poll report concludes that 93 percent (93%) of Americans agree that the arts are vital to providing a well-rounded education for children.
• Music has an abstract quality which speaks to a worldwide audience in a wonderful soul. 
  

  What We'll Do

• ConSoné will first and foremost offer an exceptional, comprehensive educational opportunity for underserved middle school girls (grades 5-8), preparing them for admission to selective high schools and colleges.
• ConSoné will provide a safe setting where students can take risks, try new things, and discover where their strengths and passions lie.
  
• ConSoné will focus instruction and methodologies on girls, music, rigor, and values.
  
• ConSoné will use music as a powerful tool for social change in three (3) primary domains:  youth development, social healing, and community building.
• ConSoné will cultivate organic community support for a tuition-free school that fundamentally is not "free."
  

• Highly-effective educators combined with aspiring volunteer teachers
• Rigorous curriculum based on national standards
• Distinctive, school-wide chorus program
  
• Small classes
• Extended day and school year
  
• High school placement and alumnae tracking
• Strong leadership team with effective board collaboration   
• Parental and community involvement
  

• ConSoné needs you and your network!  ConSoné depends on the contributions of time, talent, and treasure from individuals, foundations, and corporations in assisting us to achieve our goals and objectives.
• ConSoné needs the financial footing to launch and support its estimated $1.2 million annual operating budget.
  
• ConSoné seeks people who are motivated by ConSoné's mission to serve as Trustees.  Non-profit board experience is preferred, but not required.
• If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about ConSoné, please click here.