Sharing best practices between Boston schools creates lasting relationships

Fall of 2010, the Neighborhood House Charter School in Dorchester collaborated with its neighbor, the Harbor Pilot Middle School, another Boston public school. This collaboration focused on the training and intensive professional development of teachers, and effective school management practices. Staff members of the Neighborhood House Charter School visited their neighbor on a weekly basis, while teachers from the Harbor Pilot Middle School frequently returned the visits. This three-year collegial cooperation created a lasting partnership, which helped the Harbor Pilot Middle School achieve a veritable turn around.

"It's been really, really terrific," said Kate Scott, Executive Director of the Neighborhood House Charter School. "It has deepened our ties and our relationship with the district and I am really inspired by the work that is going on in the district and the really hard work of the teachers every day."