University Park Campus School

Schools That Work

University Park Campus School

Public, Urban

Grades 7-12

Worcester, MA

Many students arrive to University Park Campus School — an urban public school in Worcester, Massachusetts — with limiting beliefs about what their future could hold. Through group work, team problem solving, student-led meetings, low-stakes writing, and reflection, UPCS transforms students’ self-image, fostering young people who take ownership of their actions and lives and believe in the success of their future.

From 2010-2015, students improved 52% between 8th and 10th grade on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) state test for Science and Technology.
Rated silver in the U.S. News and World Report Best High Schools of 2015.
Since 2012, 100% of graduates were accepted to college, 85% enrolled, and 80% are now on track to graduate within 6 years.

Student Voice
Developing Agency With Student-Led Conferences
When students lead meetings with their parents and teachers, they gain a voice in their education and develop skills like goal-setting and metacognition.
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
Controlled Failure: Helping Kids Navigate Back to Success
University Park Campus School encourages students to take risks and, if they fail, helps them take responsibility for their own learning and success.
Kaitlin Kelley
Literacy
60-Second Strategy: 7-Minute Writes
Looking for a simple way to get your students writing? Try a low-stakes timed exercise.
Student Voice
Student-Led Meetings: Empowering Student Voice
Students at University Park Campus School grow into their power and potential through student-led meetings.
Teacher Collaboration
Team Problem Solving: Paving the Path to Success for Every Student
By creating a culture committed to problem solving, University Park Campus School tackles student need early and effectively.
Literacy
Low-Stakes Writing: Writing to Learn, Not Learning to Write
University Park Campus School uses low-stakes writing to scaffold instruction, develop student voice, and foster critical thinkers.
Collaborative Learning
Teaching Group Work: Building Student Collaboration and Agency
At University Park Campus School, students learn through group work that they have something to contribute.
Teaching Strategies
7 Reflection Tips for Assessment, Empowerment, and Self-Awareness
How to model and guide students toward a more reflective approach to their projects, grades, actions, and reactions.
James Kobialka
Student Voice
Promoting Student Agency in Learning
See what can happen when students lead meetings about their own academic progress.
Emelina Minero
Teacher Collaboration
Solving Student Problems as a Community
Using weekly staff meetings and peer mediation to address conflicts and other student issues.
Emelina Minero
Literacy
Low-Stakes Writing and Critical Thinking
Fostering a culture of risk taking and critical thinking with low-stakes writing in every subject.
Emelina Minero
Collaborative Learning
Using Collaborative Learning to Build Student Agency
Making group work not just helpful but necessary fosters student-led learning.
Emelina Minero
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
High Expectations: Changing Kids’ Self-Image
Help your students develop a growth mindset through fostering student agency and active learning, student-led meetings, low-stakes writing assignments, team problem solving, and honest reflection.
Dan St. Louis

Schools That Work

University Park Campus School

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Developing Agency With Student-Led Conferences