Henry Dearborn Middle School

The Dearborn Middle School is a very special place.
It was originally an all-​girls school opened in 1912 to teach young girls how to become good housewives (honest!) but it is now a school teaching kids grade 6 – 8. The principal, Jose Duarte, is a really great guy — and he is very proud of his school. If you’re in the area, ask for him to give you a tour. You will see and hear how much pride and love he has for this place. It’s an old school — and it still need a lot of TLC, but it is making great strides to become even better.
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The school itself can handle a much larger amount of kids then it currently has enrolled. I think there are about 90 students currently attenting — but the establishment itself is meant to handle a couple hundred. They are working towards becoming a high school, and they’ll get there. The upward progress this place has made makes it easy to see that they will be a diamond in the rough that is Roxbury/​Dorchester.
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Some of the highlights of this place is the room on the third floor that was professionally re-​done, as well as PCs for every student. The kicker is a giant touch-​screen whiteboard at the front of the class. No markers, no chalk. Very high tech and very cool. The kids LOVE this and are 100% engaged in class when they are in this particular room. I wish all their rooms could be like this one.
Up on the fourth floor is an old room used 100 years ago to teach young girls how to be good housewives. It’s a cool piece of history you should see for yourself.
The push towards college is felt here. Every effort is made to help these kids understand that education doesn’t end after grade 8 or 12. College is where it’s at. And there are a number of resources and reminders here keeping these kids on the straight and narrow.
A BIG highlight is a that this place provides breakfast and lunch for every student. I forget if that is free or not — I’ll have to check for you. But how great is that being a parent and not having to worry about that for your kids each and every day?
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The kids — the kids are GREAT. You should see their faces. They love their school. It’s great to see that pride that you’d think wouldn’t exist these days.
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Some of the hallways and rooms are unused, and they’re working to rehabilitate them so that the school can expand. It’s not easy, but they’ll get there.
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If you’re in the area, I strongly urge you to get involved with this place. They welcome volunteers and help of any kind. It’s worth it. This place needs and deserves it. There are a lot of jerks out there, and you know it — so make up for their immaturity and selfishness by volunteering here today!!!