Company Profile
Citizen Schools
Company Overview
The story of Citizen Schools is the story of a great idea in the right place and time, with the right hearts and minds behind it. In the summer of 1994 Boston was a city searching for answers to an exhausting downward spiral of youth crime, crumbling neighborhoods, and struggling public schools. Three opportunities awaited discovery: the long, empty hours of out-of-school time; the crucial transition of middle school in a child’s education; and the cumulative power of real-world professionals teaching their knowledge to kids, hands-on.
The social entrepreneurs who brought the idea and the place together were Citizen Schools co-founders Eric Schwarz and Ned Rimer. They decided to volunteer to teach 20 5th graders at Dorchester's Paul A. Dever school. As a former reporter, Eric taught an apprenticeship in journalism. Drawing on his years running the EMT squad at the University of Vermont, Ned taught first aid. Together with a bare-bones staff, they called themselves Citizen Teachers. Neither predicted the spectacular response of the children involved—how much they learned, and how much they loved it.
From there, growth was fast and steady. In early 1995, Citizen Schools formally registered as a non-profit organization. The first full program was launched that summer, serving 63 children and led by founding campus directors John Werner and Anita Price. Within a year, all the basic elements were in place: after-school programs operating out of Boston Public School buildings across the city, apprenticeships taught by volunteer Citizen Teachers, community explorations, team-building activities, and homework and school skills.
Today Citizen Schools operates in middle schools in seven states, serving 4,400 kids and engaging 3,200 volunteers. Eric and John are still here—along with dozens of new leaders and hundreds of dedicated staff members working to educate youth and strengthen communities. From idea to reality: that's what apprenticeships are all about, and it's the story of Citizen Schools.
Company History
1995
John Werner and Anita Price are the campus directors of the first Citizen Schools program.
1996
The first WOW!, at Boston's Harbor Point, features an address by Mayor Thomas M. Menino.
1997
The law offices of Hale and Dorr (now Wilmer Hale) teach the first legal apprenticeships.
1998
Apprentices organize the first Run for Health to raise fitness awareness, supported by Putnam Investments.
1999
Opening and closing circles, value stars, and shout-outs become program rituals.
2000
Citizen Schools moves into new headquarters in Boston's Children's Museum.
2001
8th Grade Academy, with a focus on writing, data analysis, and college exploration, launches in Boston.
2002
Affiliates open in Framingham and Worcester, MA; Houston, TX; and San Jose, CA.
2003
Lesley University offers a Master's degree in out-of-school education to Citizen Schools Teaching Fellows.
2004
The National WOW! Convention brings together apprentices, Citizen Teachers, and staff from across the country to demonstrate their achievements.
2006
Citizen Schools programs open in Charlotte, North Carolina.
At the Reimagining After-School Symposium in Washington, DC, more than 120 education leaders are addressed by two Citizen Schools alumni.
Three Boston-area schools partner with Citizen Schools during their lengthened school day as part of the Expanded Learning Time initiative.
2007
Citizen Schools programs open in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
8th Grade Academy expands nationally with a grant from the Goldman Sachs Foundation.
PSA releases Phase V of its independent, longitudinal evaluation.
2008
Citizen Schools programs open in New York City.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
2008 Social Capitalist Award (Fast Company Magazine)
Four Star Rating from Charity Navigator
Princeton Review's Best Entry-Level Jobs
2005 Skoll Award For Social Entrepreneurship
Benefits
In addition to a full benefits package and generous paid vacation time, Citizen Schools employees are eligible for a month-long "Splash," four additional weeks of paid vacation, after 5 years' tenure. This is meant to be a mini-sabbatical, which can be used for personal enrichment, professional development, or any pursuit that is normally not possible with a full work schedule.
Staff members at Citizen Schools who are not campus-based are also strongly encouraged to be Citizen Teachers during their first year on the job, which is an excellent opportunity to serve the community while also learning more about how our program really works.