June 16, 2008 Esperanza Academy - 2007 Play video

(Leslie Gaydos, NECN) -- A group of girls who live in Lawrence, Massachusetts have been given an opportunity of a lifetime. They are putting in a lot of hard work and seem destined for success. They are the first students to attend a new tuition-free school for low-income kids.

NECN and Citizens Bank have chosen Esperanza Academy in Lawrence, Massachusetts as this quarter's Champion in Action.

Not every kid would jump at the chance to attend school for eleven hours a day...eleven months a year. But these girls did.

Monday morning math class and the middle schoolers are hard at work. No one is dozing off.... doodling… or being disruptive. They are involved.

Teacher: "so we need to do what? Add a dollar..."

There is a ten-to-one or better student teacher ratio in every class.

"Since the classes are smaller, you can talk to a teacher for ten minutes at least or something. And get help? Yeah."

"I’ve never been to a school where a teacher can sit down and talk to you if you have problems or something. "

This is Esperanza academy in Lawrence, Massachusetts, a bright, sunny place that opened its doors last fall to 42 girls. A joint venture between Christ Episcopal Church in Andover and Grace Episcopal Church in Lawrence, Esperanza Academy is a nativity-model, tuition-free middle school for economically disadvantaged girls from Lawrence in the fifth through eighth grades.

Laurie: "My philosophy, my vision for our

school is taking 20 incoming 5th grade girls every year. And letting them know ‘yes, it's an eleven hour day; yes, you have to wear uniforms; yes, you have to help clean; yes, we work hard; and yes, we'll stand right there with you every single day and we will find out where you are when you come through our door and we will help you reach your potential."

The statistics are grim in Lawrence. A 41-percent graduation rate, one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the state -- and many families living near poverty levels. Children of Lawrence families earning 60-percent of the state's median income, are eligible to attend Esperanza. Admission is based on a lottery system. Five percent of the girls are referred by the Department of Social Services.

Esperanza is the Spanish word for "hope" -- and they call this the school of hope.

Laurie: "What we are doing here is showing everybody that low-income doesn't mean under-achieving. Low income doesn't mean not smart. Low income doesn't mean anything negative. There’s no correlation between those two. What we are going to show is the correlation is when you are in a supportive nurturing environment, and you have the high expectations and everybody in that culture expects to work hard, the outcomes are all positive."

Principal: "Part of the plan is that we don't give up on them -- that they don't get kicked out… that they aren't allowed to make bad choices, because we are their surrogate family in a sense. Their families are very important to them, but for eleven hours a day we are the family that cares about them."

These girls are setting the tables for lunch. Students eat three healthy meals a day here, and must help cook and clean up. Their family members are also required to pitch in two hours a week. Family and community volunteers are crucial to Esperanza's success. Debbie Schmidt is the kitchen coordinator. The former hospital administrator comes three to five days a week.

Debbie Schmidt: "The fact that I can do something that might impact the future forever...these girls are the future -- eager, young, receptive. They want to learn. It's really wonderful."

The faculty is made up of experienced teachers and Americorps fellows -- recent college graduates who have committed to a year or two of service. The school also has some Lawrence residents on staff.

Hayda Javier is one of two fellows who haven't finished their undergraduate degrees yet. She is a teacher's assistant, works fulltime in the kitchen, and will use her Americorps educational award to finish her college degree. Her daughter attends Esperanza.

Heyda: "For myself it has been an awesome experience..."

"This will be an excellent opportunity for my daughter..."

"Everyday, its not a struggle for me to get her up and tell her, ‘this is what you need to do.’ She's doing it, enjoying it and having fun with it."

At a time when some schools are cutting back on physical education and recess, there’s plenty of time for it here -- whether it’s yoga, or a wild game of fly tag.

"Last year when we had our first orientations, some of the girls said, ‘can we have a choir? Can I take guitar lessons?’ Yeah, we'll try our best. We are shameless in asking for help, and so now, we offer violin, cello, guitar, piano, all because volunteers are willing."

"I like all the subjects and things we get to do, like, the Merrimack College comes here and Girl Scouts. But the best part is horseback riding. That’s the best part."

During a daily study period, tutors help the girls with their homework before they head home at 6:30pm. Esperanza will eventually have 80 full-time students in grades five through eight.

Next year, a graduate support person will be brought on staff to help the girls with their high school admissions. That person will continue to follow them through their college years, keeping track of them and providing encouragement and support.

Laurie: "I kind of like to use the metaphor that we are like a tattoo. We'll never go away. Even though they are going off to high school, we are still requesting grades, showing up, getting them back to the school."

Principal: "It’s hard for them. It’s a long day for them. But the loudest complainers always have in their minds that they are going to a good high school and a good college. It's going to happen. It’s now part of who they see themselves."

And they are already making plans.

"When I grow up I want to be a singer who plays an instrument."

"A dancer, a singer, an author, an actor."

"I want to be a pediatrician. I like kids and I think it’s just cool.” “That's what you're gonna do? Yeah." The future is bright.