Roxbury Prep Students Share Their Stories at Roslindale Parade

When students from Roxbury Prep marched in Sunday’s Roslindale Parade with signs that read “Ask Me How Many AP Classes I’ve Taken” many onlookers did just that—asking the students what the number was.

The students were more than happy to share: Some called out 5, 6—one even said 9 AP classes. Parade watchers were thrilled—erupting in cheers as the students passed by waving and smiling.

While the Roslindale Parade featured dozens of community organizations, it was a particularly eventful day for the students at Roxbury Prep. In addition to marching, another group of Roxbury Prep students set up a table in front of the empty Clay Auto Center at 361 Belgrade Avenue, the site of a proposed new, state-of-the art high school for the storied 20-year-old school founded by John King, former U.S. Secretary of Education under President Barack Obama.

At Roxbury Prep, 100% of seniors have taken at least one Advanced Placement (AP) class, with 62 percent passing at least one AP exam. By comparison, across the U.S., only 39% of public school students take any AP exams during high school and 24% actually pass an exam prior to graduating. (College Board, 2018)

Roxbury Prep’s high school students are currently spread across two campuses in temporary locations in Roxbury and Hyde Park. The proposed new facility at 361 Belgrade Ave. will allow high school students in these separate spaces to move into one dedicated building for the first time.

The site of what they hope will be their future school was on the route of the parade, and the students and families in front of the site were greeted warmly by Mayor Martin Walsh, Police Commissioner William Gross and Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins, as well as many other elected officials and candidates running for both city and state offices.

Roxbury Prep alum are increasingly coming back to advocate for their school.

"Roxbury Prep students deserve a high school. As an alumna, if it were not for the high quality education and support I received at Roxbury Prep, I would not have been prepared to receive multiple college degrees from great institutions,” said Bria Gadsden who graduated from Roxbury Prep, went on to the University of Massachusetts Amherst (Class of 2016) and Merrimack College (Class of 2018), currently works as a Health Insurance Specialist at a private dental practice and teaches a wellness elective part time at Roxbury Prep.

“It is my hope the next generation of leaders will be able to have the same opportunities I had as a student at Roxbury Prep," Gadsden said.

Roxbury Prep’s supporters are encouraged by the 843 residents of Roslindale and West Roxbury that have signed a petition in favor of the new facility. During the extended public comment period for the project, over 1000 people submitted comments to the Boston Planning and Development Agency with 85% being in support. When residents had suggestions or concerns, Roxbury Prep addressed them by making significant changes to its plans in order to be responsive to the community.

Currently, more than 100 families from Roslindale and West Roxbury have students who attend Roxbury Prep schools. In addition, this month, CBS Boston aired an inspirational news story highlighting the return of one of Roxbury Prep’s own graduates coming back to teach and lead in the school as a principal.

The plans for Roxbury Prep High School include a 49,950-gross-square-feet building that will accommodate 562 students and 67 staff members. The proposed school will be two to three stories and will include 23 classrooms, science and computer labs, a full-sized gymnasium, performing arts space, and a cafeteria, plus an underground parking garage for staff.

This project is transit-oriented; the overwhelming majority—90 percent—of students are anticipated to take public transportation to and from school. The site is located along the Needham line Commuter Rail and sits at the intersection of four different MBTA bus lines that will allow for a seamless reverse commute for students from other parts of the city. The school will have a policy prohibiting students from driving to school.

This building will be a new home for an existing school; it does not represent an increase in the number of charter schools or seats in Massachusetts.

Roxbury Prep opened in Boston in 1999 and currently serves about 1,500 Boston students across five campuses. The proposed new building will be a single location for the high school; the three Roxbury Prep middle schools will stay in their current locations.

For more information about the proposed high school project, visit: https://www.roxpreproslindale.org/