Components

ConSoné Academy, Where Middle School Girls Can Develop Their Voice(s)

Components

ConSoné Academy’s highly structured paradigm includes small classes, an extended day and school year, rigorous academic standards, high expectations, value formation, summer intensive study, and graduate support through the following programs:

The Academic Program
The academic school day will operate from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Each day, students will have the option of eating breakfast at the Academy from 7:30 to 7:55 AM. Morning assembly will mark the start of the academic day followed by a school-wide choral rehearsal. The Chorus Program is a prominent part of the academic core—every student will rehearse together every day. Concerts will be performed on- and off-campus throughout the year.

Each student’s course of studies will include

Math
Science
English
Social Studies
Latin
World Religions
Technology
Health
Music

The Chorus Program
Strategically, at ConSoné, The Chorus Program is a prominent part of the academic core—Every student will rehearse together every day. Every week, each student will also have a music skills class. Concerts will be performed on- and off-campus throughout the year. ConSoné students will have opportunities to attend concerts, prepare for auditions, and participate in festivals. Additionally, a SummerSing session will run concurrently with the Academy's required Summer Intensive Program. ConSoné’s comprehensive chorus program will ensure music preservation, music education, and music awareness for all students. ConSoné Academy will use music as a powerful tool for social change in three (3) primary domains: youth development, social healing, and community building.

In youth development, it will encourage risk-taking in girls and give them an intensive music education and performance experience that will teach analytical, creative, communication, leadership, and teamwork skills.
In social healing, it will bring together children, families, and community leaders from diverse backgrounds to celebrate cultures, develop relationships, and break down social barriers.
In community building, it will empower the girls to serve as ambassadors for their school as well as contribute something unique and valuable to the community.

Developing an outstanding chorus program, where girls' voices are heard and their talents flourish, will not only bring recognition to ConSoné but also heighten its mission.

The After School Program
The After School Program supplements a ConSoné student’s education with individualized, character-building programs. It is designed to develop students academically, physically, and socially. Included will be an Athletic Program that will develop individual health, wellness, and fitness as well as team sportsmanship. Additionally, ConSoné will conduct an on-going, comprehensive Community Service Learning Program. The goal of The Community Service Learning Program is for our girls to learn about the different needs in their community and experience the joy and satisfaction of responding to these needs. Partnering with other organizations, we hope to foster a sense of social responsibility and commitment to the Boston community. ConSoné is dedicated to making sure our girls are equipped with, not only academic excellence, but also a strong morality and value structure in authentic situations.

The most essential component of our After School Program is The Evening Study Program.

The Evening Study Program
Evening Study runs each weeknight following dinner. Student progress is evaluated and then assessments are used to target academic deficiencies. Volunteers tutor the students, reinforcing academic subject matter and skills. It is also a time for students to develop the skills for independent and silent study as such skills are critical for success in high school.

Graduates are welcomed in this program. They can receive tutoring as well as use our facility for quiet, independent study. As a presence at Evening Study, alumnae are role models for our current students and are able to share their experiences about the next stage of learning and development: high school.

The Summer Intensive Program
In addition to the traditional school calendar, all ConSoné students will participate in a Summer Intensive Program, off-campus. From an academic perspective, it provides students an opportunity to retain and reinforce skills as well as a time to explore new subject matter. From a social perspective, it provides students a chance to engage in team building, character development, and leadership training, and take part in rehearsals, concerts, and outdoor athletic activities. Being away from “home,” gives the students another life experience, and perhaps, a safer environment.

The Graduate Support Program
We are committed to the success of our students not only in middle school but also in high school and college. Principally, there is an expectation that all students at ConSoné Academy will graduate from high school and go on to some form of post-secondary education. The Graduate Support Program will ease the ConSoné students' transition into high school, offer tutoring, advocate for, track their growth and achievement. The GSP's long-term pledge is to maintain communication with all alumnae. The goal is to cultivate an opportunity where each ConSoné student is empowered to apply academic skills, take creative risks, strive for excellence, and achieve her highest potential.

The Meal Program
ConSoné Academy will provide its students with three (3) healthy meals per day and is especially grateful to those who through their commitment and generous support sponsor the dinner program. Each weeknight, individuals, families, or groups come to ConSoné to cook and serve supper.

The Volunteer Program
Many “friends” donate their time and talent to serve in a myriad of capacities such as tutoring, mentoring, building maintenance, graduate support, administrative support, and other opportunities as they arise throughout the academic year as well as the summer session. It is an invaluable benefit to ConSoné, and the rewards are almost always mutual. Inquiries about how to become involved are welcomed.

An inspiring force behind ConSoné Academy is the volunteer teacher corps. It is their selfless dedication to the mission that motivates and inspires our community. Their primary purpose is to teach and guide; their only gain is the success of their students. Volunteer teachers mentored by experienced educators follow a challenging curriculum based on national standards and benchmarks for each core subject area. The combination of knowledge, enthusiasm, stability, and service-before-self makes for a very effective teaching staff.

The Faculty Mentoring Program
In a unique dual learning-to-teach and teaching-to-learn opportunity, ConSoné Academy promotes a Faculty Mentoring Program that will enlist a creative, engaged, skilled, and confident generation of young people as teachers. Volunteer teaching service plus the benefit of graduate study at one of Boston’s colleges offers an Alternative Route to Teaching certification. The alacrity of the volunteer teachers combined with the experience of the master teachers will provide a richness and ensure that the students are getting a strong standards-based education. ConSoné Academy is truly a community of learners—where students receive a sound education, and new “classes” of teachers are trained.

The Professional Development Program
It is invaluable that ConSoné Academy is within easy access to higher education institutions, which will provide a unique two-way opportunity. Boston colleges and universities will offer professional development and graduate education for the ConSoné Academy faculty:

Providing continued learning opportunities
Updating current research and trends
Enhancing student learning
Promoting improvement of instruction
Recognizing staff expertise and talent
Learning from noted experts in the field

Additionally, college undergraduate and graduate students can serve as tutors and mentors in the ConSoné Academy volunteer program, extending out network and community.