The Girls' Academy That's A Family

Inside One School That Does Things Differently - And Keeps Students 11 Hours A Day

(CBS)  This is the third part in a series, "Eye on Education: Making the Grade."

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Peek into any classroom at Esperanza Academy, both on- and off-campus, and you'll notice things are done a little differently here.

"Being an independent school, it allows us to break out of the box," said the school's founder, Laurie Bottinger.

Way out of the box, reports CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller.

"We mummified a chicken for social studies!" said one student, Rosalia Garcia.

It's not your average show-and-tell history lesson, but a memorable one. What's it like to be at the school?

"It's like a second family, because all of us are like sisters," Rosalia said.

Student Catherine Perez added: "I don't ever want to leave this school."

That's because 80 girls from 5th to 8th grade spend 11 hours a day, 11 months a year … together.

They eat three meals at the academy, pray there and complete their homework there. Even parents are required to volunteer two hours a week. Add a smaller class-size of 10 students or fewer, and that's what makes the school so different.

English is their second language; most of these girls are first-generation Americans. And their parents are earning less than $15,000 a year in one of the poorest cities in Massachusetts.

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Blog: Learn more about what Miller saw at Esperanza Academy.

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The statistical trends in Lawrence, Mass., aren't pretty. The city has the highest teen-pregnancy rate and one of the lowest graduation rates for girls in the state. And the numbers are getting worse.

But Esperanza is part of NativityMiguel, a private network of schools with a 10-year track record dedicated to under-served communities. Their students have a 21 percent higher graduation rate than students nationally. And twice as many of them go on to college.

"It's our responsibility to make sure that we provide social equity by making sure the kids in the city, the poor kids in the inner-city, have the same opportunities," Bottinger said.

Those are opportunities from music … to horseplay.

But the biggest change is in their attitude.

"You goals to be more focused on your work," Catherine said.

At Esperanza, they're guaranteed a second family for life.

"What I know is I will do what it takes for every one of these girls to take that graduation diploma," Bottinger said. "It's wrong in this country that is so wealthy, for us to not believe in every single kid."

[girlschools22]

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[michellem99-2009]

Keithle said what do we do with black boys?
Ye teach them vaules at a young age.
we teach all to resect each other.
But the problem is the home.
Ye mind.
Dad he had a tone in his voice and manner he used. If he used our first and middle name. He never allowed us to get out of line.
Mum and Dad when yer child is nasty then stop it.
White boys are the blame to.
Happy Fathers Day gents.

[michellem99-2009]

Keithle, I am an Aunt to 2 teens..Their Mum my sister is white their father black. I am white. Debby''s son graduated high school. I have never met these children. Black folk in Maine have always been free. Mainers never owned slaves. NEVER. I know that. I went to all white schools. I was the only legally blind there. Boys were taught better than the girls. A BLACK CHILD WAS BULLED ON SCHOOL BUS IN 70 AND HE SAT IN THE SEAT NEXT TO ME. I was called N word. Adults started it. Children are the ones that suffer..Blind and sighted,black and white,male and female. We have to step up to the plate as a people. My late Aunt told me there is one race the human race. A lesson that is true.

[keithle1]

What do we do with black boys?

[michellem99-2009]

Keithle,
Yes..And don''t teach them a dumbed down education. I was in a boy/girl class..I never noticed the boy. Got really not much out of school, that was precomputer..I think the sighted girl gets boy crazy when she ouaght learn. Same gender class might work.
In my day it was the boy got the best. Girls taught how to be a man''s wife...baby raising...staying in the home..like the leave to beave show..They felt an education a waise on a girl..The girls today have it better so learn..

[asouthrngrl]

HaHa rush, good one!! Except for English being the second language, this is an excellant idea. If all of our schools could have an advantage of only 10 students to a room, all our children would be able to read!

[keithle1]

Way to go. Sounds good. Try something new. If it works & is successful, keep on doing it.

Keep ''em away from boys! Nothing good comes from girls interacting with boys. They have their whole lives to date & be wives. Boys have got one thing on their mind 24-7.

[michellem99-2009]

Now if that brat in DC stay there.
Girls ye rock go for it.
Don''t let a man tell ye can''t cos yer a girl.

[rushlimpdrug]

Wow a girl school where Oprah isn''t involved.

Oh, it isn''t in Africa.

Nevermind.