Welcome to Smith Leadership Academy

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Smith Leadership Academy, a special place where middle-school aged boys and girls learn, grow and succeed in a stimulating, nurturing environment. This charter public school serves some 200-plus students in grades 6, 7 and 8. At the Academy, we know each and every student. We respect your individuality, challenge you to self-discovery and encourage you to celebrate who you are. It is this "strong sense of self" and the focus on developing good character that prepares our students for a life of leadership and service.

We engage our students in rigorous and challenging academics. Our immediate goal is to prepare students for admission to the best high schools in the Boston area and, eventually, acceptance into college. Despite the difference in students' academic, cultural and economic backgrounds, we provide each and every student with the supports needed to be confident and successful in school. We emphasize individual strengths, inspire all students to accept challenges and constantly encourage them to do their personal best. Students learn early that there are no short cuts to success, so they expect to work hard.

Character development is an intrgral part of the Academy's curriculum. Students learn to embrace the Academy's core values - thought leadership, personal excellence, respect, intellectual curiosity, integrity, compassion and community citizenship. These core values are important in developing a legacy of leadership and community service that sets our students apart from others.

The Academy is like a second home for many students. Perhaps our attendance, which tops 95 percent on a daily basis, demonstrates how the students feel about the school. Our door is always open. Please come visit us and see what makes the Academy such a special place to learn, grow and succeed!

Warm regards,

Karmala Sherwood
Head of School