Mission

Worcester Cultural Academy educates, inspires, and uncovers the inner genius of all learners through real-world and project-based experiences, to prepare them to be the cultural leaders of tomorrow.

Vision

When students graduate from Worcester Cultural Academy, they will do so as articulate communicators, critical thinkers, and skilled problem solvers who care for themselves, others around them, and their community. Through project-based learning, they will discover other passions and crafts as well – from music to painting, and woodworking to gardening. They will produce academic work that is “museum quality”, engaging in real-world learning at every grade level. They will be able to describe how they learn best and advocate for the tools they need when they are struggling. Worcester Cultural Academy students will have the academic skills they need to produce beautiful work to make the world a better place.

About Worcester Cultural Academy

Worcester Cultural Academy (WCA) is a free charter public school located in Worcester, MA opening in August 2023 with grades Kindergarten through 4th grade. The school is partnering with EL Education (formerly known as Expeditionary Learning) to grant students an opportunity to connect what they are learning in classrooms to real-world applications through high-quality learning experiences. Through project-based learning, case studies, and fieldwork conducted with the leading cultural institutions and museums of central Massachusetts, WCA fosters intellectual curiosity and encourages students to become articulate communicators, critical thinkers, and skilled problem solvers who care for themselves, others around them, and their community. A culture of quality permeates the school and our students will graduate with an understanding of how they learn best and how to advocate for the resources they need for success.

Worcester Cultural Academy is based on the success of Old Sturbridge Academy Charter Public School, located in Sturbridge, MA, where a successful school and museum partnership has flourished. Old Sturbridge Academy has seen this model work with a diverse range of students and learning styles. WCA will utilize the blueprint of this school/museum partnership model along with Old Sturbridge Academy’s best practices and lessons, differentiating itself by its location in the culturally rich, urban environment of Worcester.

Worcester Cultural Academy, in partnership with families, students, and staff, will provide the following:

• Collaboration with local cultural institutions for in-depth fieldwork to support project-based learning
• Nurturing skills and interests in visual and performing arts, music, engineering, crafts, and community service
• Small class sizes (20 students per class) and low student-to-teacher ratios
• Robust special education and ELL services
• Transportation provided to and from the school
• High-quality, character-based instruction with a commitment to a diverse teaching staff
• Access to experts from Old Sturbridge Village and other cultural institutions
• Academic interventions early in elementary school
• Social-emotional interventions early in elementary school
• Commitment to equity and antiracism
• Support from Old Sturbridge Village’s Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access to support the recruitment of diverse teaching staff and the implementation of culturally competent teaching practices

A Typical Day as a Worcester Cultural Academy Student

The Day Begins

At 8:15 AM, the school bus pulls up to the school building and students disembark and thank their bus driver for getting them to school safely. Students are greeted warmly by both their peers and school staff. They enter the building and go to their classrooms to unpack their materials and then head to the eating area for a nutritious breakfast.

Crew

After that, it is time for “Crew” where students greet their peers and teachers, collaborate in an activity, look at the calendar and schedule for the day, and participate in the news and announcements. WCA’s Habits of Character and mission are infused throughout Crew. For example, Crew may focus on celebrating perseverance as a Habit of Character when students created multiple drafts of a scientific drawing as part of their Learning Expedition. Students share with their Crew how they used a photo of a frog from the Amazon rainforest to create an accurate drawing. During Crew, students are able to forge productive relationships to support their mastery of knowledge and skills, character, and high-quality work.

Classes

Throughout the day, students take part in the core subjects of English Language Arts, Math, Expedition (Science and/or Social Studies driven Learning Expeditions), and Physical Education/Wellness/Health.

• In the ELA module and ALL (Additional Language and Literacy) Block, students work on a module lesson, for example “Researching to Build Knowledge and Teach Others: Adaptations and the Wide World of Frogs.”
• For the ALL block, students visit centers to accelerate their literacy skills and meet with a teacher in a small group to revise their research reports.
• In Math, students engage in a collaborative group project to continue to develop their understanding of fractions as numbers. They participate in hands-on, real-world, and rigorous learning experiences as they explore fractions.
• Later that day, in Expedition, students prepare for a field study at a Worcester area location to study frogs in the real world by observing them, talking with experts, and collecting data. In Expedition, which has either a Science or Social Studies focus, students classify frogs (which they will see on the upcoming field study) based on their shared physical characteristics.

Closing the Day

At the end of the day, students participate in Closing Crew. The teacher invites students to give classmates shout-outs. One of the students gets a shout-out for their stewardship because they picked up litter on the playground at play that day. This student beams with pride and feels like they are seen and validated as a member of the Crew. Finally, the teacher reminds all students of what to bring for Monday’s field study including study shoes that can get wet as they look for frogs. At 2:30 PM, they say goodbye to their Crew and teacher as they make their way to the bus to head home.

About Old Sturbridge Village

As one of the nation’s leading living history museums, the Village has been providing educational programs to students, teachers, and families for more than 70 years. With a campus of more than 200 acres, the museum offers an idyllic setting with hundreds of resources to support learning.

How to Apply

Admission is by lottery. If applications exceed available seats for any grade (K-4) as of the enrollment deadline of 5:00 p.m. on April 11, 2023, we hold a lottery for those grades on April 13, 2023 via Zoom. We will continue to accept applications after the April 11th deadline; however, they will be included in the next application cycle, which has a deadline of April 25, 2023. We will continue to accept applications after the April 11th deadline, however, they will be included in the next application cycle which has a deadline of April 25, 2023.

APPLY TODAY!

Vice Principal

Worcester Cultural Academy Charter Public School seeks an outstanding culturally competent educator to serve as its founding Vice Principal. We are looking for a leader who will bring a deep commitment to the school’s mission and who possesses experience working in diverse schools with English Language Learners and students with disabilities. This is an exciting opportunity to lead teachers, and partner with families and students, who are all passionate about this pioneering charter public school. We seek a leader who will work closely with the school staff to execute the school’s vision and support the community to learn and grow into the future. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced educator, who believes in the power of project-based learning and is committed to EL Education, to be a leader at an innovative charter public school in the city of Worcester. We welcome candidates to apply who reflect the cultural diversity of the Worcester community.

Mission

Worcester Cultural Academy Charter Public School will provide students with rigorous, real-world learning experiences in a supportive and nurturing school community, helping all students to become reflective inquisitors, articulate communicators, critical thinkers, and skilled problem solvers. Worcester Cultural Academy Charter Public School’s mission is to educate, inspire, and uncover the inner genius of all learners through project-based experiences. In partnership with local cultural institutions, we will provide Worcester students with educational opportunities that match their varied learning styles and needs, and prepare them to be the cultural leaders of tomorrow.

About the School

Worcester Cultural Academy Charter Public School is opening in August 2023 and will serve students in grades K-4 during the 2023-24 school year. We are chartered for grades K-8. As an EL (Expeditionary Learning) Education school, we believe in hands-on learning that focuses on three levels of student achievement: mastery of knowledge and skills, character, and high-quality work.

Visit our school website www.WorcesterCulturalAcademy.org.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• School leadership experience (Assistant/Vice Principal, Dean, Grade Level Chair/Team Leader, or equivalent in a high-performing school.)
• A proven track record of leading, managing, and coaching other educators to increase student achievement.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences including students, staff, and families across a range of identities.
• Demonstrated student-centered, trauma-informed and cultural competency skills.
• Well-organized, skilled at balancing competing priorities, and effective at multitasking.
• A decisive leader who can make difficult decisions taking into consideration the needs of students and the school community.
• Persistence in the face of obstacles, productive problem-solving to counter setbacks, and takes initiative to seize opportunities to make a change.
• Skilled at reflecting on how to improve, self-awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, and willingness to take responsibility for actions and mistakes.
• Demonstrated commitment and leadership in developing pathways to increase staff diversity.
• Academic Administrator License issued by DESE
• Knowledge of EL Education Core Practices.
• Bilingual/bicultural preferred.

Responsibilities

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Instructional Leadership

• Ensure high-quality instruction aligned with EL Education’s Core Practices, culturally responsive teaching, and accountability to state learning standards as a minimum.
• Communicate high expectations for learning and growth, a belief that all students can learn, and a commitment to meet each student’s educational needs.
• Lead evidence-based strategic improvement based on a system of collecting and analyzing evidence of student achievement in all three dimensions of student learning (Mastery of Knowledge & Skills, Character, High-Quality Work).
• Implement instructional strategies, including supporting the needs of diverse learners, delivery methods, assessment, and staff development techniques for improvement of instruction.
• Assist the principal in the supervision and evaluation of classroom instruction and aesthetics.

Teacher & Staff Development, Leadership, & Support

• Build instructional capacity among teachers through formal and informal opportunities for growth and shared leadership.
• Manage teachers and other school-based staff.
• Implement, support, and improve systems and structures that ensure fair, relevant, and timely evaluation of teacher performance.
• Cultivate a positive professional culture among adults with a commitment to continuous improvement, mutual respect, critical reflection, awareness of power and privilege, and shared accountability.
• Manage conflict constructively at all levels.
• Select staff for employment in collaboration with the principal and other staff.

Safe, Supporting, & Inclusive School & Community Culture

• Ensure adherence to the school’s Code of Character and student behavior policies.
• Manage behavioral issues in a thoughtful, logical, and well-documented manner; empower other professionals to implement the school’s Code of Character; document character and behavioral data.
• Serves as a resource for building staff, administrators, and families in working with students, creating a positive school culture and climate, and helping students develop a positive self-concept and habits of character.
• Ensure a safe and secure school climate conducive to learning, promoting a sense of belonging and inclusion for all.
• Develop positive, collaborative, and culturally responsive relationships with families.
• Build and sustain relationships with Old Sturbridge Village, EL Education, cultural institutions and museums, and other partners.
• Maintain accurate student attendance records and strive to promote good student attendance.

Authentic, Anti-Racist, Mission-Driven Vision & Leadership

• Model and demonstrate a strong commitment to:
  • the school’s vision and motivating others to do the same;
  • the work of being an anti-racist school and has experience leading diversity, equity, inclusion, and access initiatives;
  • student empowerment, and commitment to allowing students to play an active role in supporting the school’s vision and climate.
  • Culturally responsive teaching and learning.
  • Student-centered and trauma-informed practices.
• Show a passion for developing staff’s instructional and leadership capacities.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm for fostering teamwork and collaboration to support excellence in teaching and learning.
• Is skilled and enthusiastic about fostering creativity and innovation.
• Show a commitment to continually seek out perspectives across a range of identities and can respond appropriately to the perspectives of students, staff, families, and other stakeholders.
• Have experience and a clear understanding of policies/laws affecting special populations, English Language Learners (ELL), and students receiving special education and other services.
• Model a healthy work-life balance and support others to do the same.

Finance, Development & Operations

• Support the creation of the school budget.
• Provide responses to requests for information from the state regarding student outcomes, programs, and operations.
• Maintain complete and accurate records as required by district, state, and federal regulations and provide timely reports as requested.

Join Our Adult Crew

At Worcester Cultural Academy, our faculty and staff collaborate and support one another and our students through a number of school-wide activities, events and celebrations. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead and participate in these events, ranging from student and family orientation activities to celebrations of learning to graduation. We work together to support the safe and happy arrival and dismissal of our students, collaborate and plan together and use data to guide decision-making.

We are intentional about engaging our faculty and staff in the development of the Academy and of themselves. School-wide professional meetings happen before the start of the school year and throughout.

Compensation: Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience.

Application Instructions

To apply for this position, email the following to jobs@osv.org:

• Cover letter that addresses, but is not limited to the following prompts:
  • What educational experiences are relevant to your interest in being a leader at Worcester Cultural Academy Charter Public School?
  • Why are you interested in being a leader at a charter school that teaches through hands-on, project-based learning and is set in the city of Worcester?
  • Describe how you envision infusing EL Education Core practices (https://eleducation.org/resources/the-core-practices-a-complete-list-with-links) throughout the school.
• Resume

Worcester Cultural Academy Charter Public School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation/gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Office Coordinator

Worcester Cultural Academy Charter Public School seeks its founding Office Coordinator. The successful candidate will possess experience working in diverse schools with English Language Learners and students with IEPs. The Office Coordinator will believe in WCA’s approach to education, which will provide students with engaging and challenging real-world learning experiences in a supportive and nurturing school community. This is an exciting opportunity to partner with cultural institutions and community partners, teachers, families, and students as an operational leader at an innovative charter public school in the city of Worcester. We welcome candidates to apply who reflect the cultural diversity of the Worcester community.

Mission

Worcester Cultural Academy Charter Public School will provide students with rigorous, real-world learning experiences in a supportive and nurturing school community, helping all students to become reflective inquisitors, articulate communicators, critical thinkers, and skilled problem solvers. Worcester Cultural Academy Charter Public School’s mission is to educate, inspire, and uncover the inner genius of all learners through project-based experiences. In partnership with local cultural institutions, we will provide Worcester students with educational opportunities that match their varied learning styles and needs, and prepare them to be the cultural leaders of tomorrow.

About the School

Worcester Cultural Academy Charter Public School is opening in August 2023 and will serve students in grades K-4 during the 2023-24 school year. We are chartered for grades K-8. As an EL (Expeditionary Learning) Education school, we believe in hands-on learning that focuses on three levels of student achievement: mastery of knowledge and skills, character, and high-quality work.

Visit our school website www.WorcesterCulturalAcademy.org.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or G.E.D. and at least two years relevant experience, education, and/or training.
• Experience and/or passion for working cooperatively in schools with diverse communities, including those in Worcester
• Demonstrated respect for families with a diverse range of backgrounds.
• Strong organizational, verbal, written, and time management skills
• Sense of humility, customer service mindset, and ability to proactively solve problems
• Team player with strong interpersonal, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills, including ability to foster positive and collaborative interpersonal relationships with staff, students, families, and the general public
• Committed to going above and beyond to meet the needs of students and families
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel; Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Forms, and Google Sheets
• Fluent in administrative and clerical procedures, electronic communication, data entry, operation of standard office equipment, managing files/records, and other office/school procedures and terminology
• Experience with student information systems and state-mandated reporting to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is preferred
• Conscientious attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in all areas
• Exhibit flexibility and able to adapt to change
• Strong work ethic, integrity, and ability to maintain confidentiality
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) and bicultural candidates preferred

Responsibilities

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Serve as first point of contact for families and visitors to school building: greet and direct students, families, staff, and other visitors; answer phone calls; respond to texts/emails
• Coordinate and facilitate communication between students, parents, community organizations, and the general public
• Maintain student information system, including database, student records, class lists, and electronic and paper files
• Monitor student absentee call-in system, contacts parents for verification of student absences when necessaryManage student activity accounts
• Process purchase orders, invoices, and reimbursement requests
• Assist with recordkeeping requirements
• State-mandated reporting to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
• Collect and process state-required CORI forms for staff, families, and volunteers
• Learn, interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Support school events, special projects, and initiatives
• Maintain school leaders’ calendars
• Order office and instructional supplies
• Welcome and orient new staff, families, and students
• Collect and organize funds for deposit by the parent organization
• Maintain internal and external electronic distribution lists
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the school leader or their designee

Join Our Adult Crew

At Worcester Cultural Academy, our faculty and staff collaborate and support one another and our students through a number of school-wide activities, events and celebrations. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead and participate in these events, ranging from student and family orientation activities to celebrations of learning to graduation. We work together to support the safe and happy arrival and dismissal of our students, collaborate and plan together and use data to guide decision-making.

We are intentional about engaging our faculty and staff in the development of the Academy and of themselves. School-wide professional meetings happen before the start of the school year and throughout.

Compensation: Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience.

Application Instructions

To apply for this position, email the following to jobs@osv.org:

• Cover letter that addresses, but is not limited to the following prompt: Why are you interested in working in the role of Office Coordinator at a charter public school that teaches through hands-on, project-based learning and is set in the city of Worcester
• Resume

Worcester Cultural Academy Charter Public School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation/gender identity, or \any other characteristic protected by applicable law.