Conservatory Lab Charter School
Music in Public Education
Remote or hybrid learning has become a critical means for teachers to continue building sustainable educational experiences for young learners. At Conservatory Lab, teachers continue to explore a blend of virtual and more traditional methods of instruction to keep students’
Continue readingFamilies, Now Educators: A Look At Virtual Learning Strategies At Home
Students are at the center of their own learning at Conservatory Lab. To deepen their learning in subjects like literacy and math, students complete learning expeditions, which are meaningful academic projects through fieldwork, reading, that allows students to take ownership
This February, the Humanities curriculum for Grade 7 is focused on the Vietnam War. The United States was most involved in the war from 1959 to 1973 which coincided with the Civil Rights movement. To celebrate Black History month, students
Every year, students in Pre-K explore their identities as a part of an annual project called “A Portrait of the Artist,” designed by K1 Teacher, Taheera Massey. Students create a series of self-portraits while examining artwork from a variety of
On February 5, Black folk singer and activist Melanie DeMore visited the Lower School to share her art and activism with students in Grade 2. DeMore teaches the power of rhythm to connect people through singing and stick-pounding workshops across
Continue readingArt and Communication: Body Percussion Workshop with Melanie DeMore
To celebrate Black History Month, Conservatory Lab is featuring African American scholars, artists, and leaders that will inspire our students. Art Teacher José Santiago creates videos, slideshows, and a newsletter every month to share with students and their families
Continue readingAfrican American Art and Collage at Conservatory Lab
Conservatory Lab held its Winter Showcase on January 11, 2020, at the historic Strand Theatre in Upham’s Corner. It is just around the corner from our Lower School in Dorchester, and only a few blocks from where our new building
Building Engagement Through a Diversity of Curricular Experiences By Elizabeth Schibuk The 7th grade science curriculum at Conservatory Lab centers on understanding the relationship between modern living and the natural world. Through a study of marine ecology, earth science, environmental
Continue readingGrade 7 Studies Ecology and Stewardship through Eco-XPT
On December 4, students performed to a crowd of thrilled parents, visitors, and employees at the Massachusetts State House. Kindergarten students wowed the audience with spirited renditions of classic holiday songs while family members filmed. The Dudamel String Orchestra showcased
Conservatory Lab community members board and staff members and alumni represented the school with skill and pride at the Next Wave Summit, hosted by our sister organization, the Center for Artistry and Scholarship on Saturday, October 19, 2019. Next Wave
By Joshua Garver Fall is an exciting time musically at Conservatory Lab’s Lower School: our first-grade musicians finally become a string orchestra! Since PreK, they have been observing the string musicians in first and second grade and wondering, “When will
Last spring, teachers, students, and families gathered in the orchestra room at the Lower School for a festive Friday Finale to celebrate an interdisciplinary lesson that touched on Science, English Language Art, and Musical learning. Once everyone was settled in,
Continue readingLiteracy, Science, and Music: Poetry with First Grade
This year, Conservatory Lab is proud to welcome Tamesha Webb as the Director of School Culture & Building Management. In this role, she will encourage students to love learning, explore, and lead with compassion. In between inspiring students and empowering
Continue readingMeet Tamesha Webb, Director of School Culture & Building Management
On Saturday, September 28, 2019, generous Conservatory Lab families worked with staff and local landscape designer Joan Yogg to create a Pollinator Pathway at the Lower School. The morning started with just a pathway and patch of dirt. During the
Our first ever Cross Country team came out in full force to compete in our meet! The MCSAO Invitational, a qualifier for states, was held at Franklin Park on the national course. Over 25 schools from across the league were
At the Hatch Shell, dancers, choreographed by Jean Apollón, bring to life “La Chouconne,” Arranged by Anthony R. Greene, Artistic Director of Castle of Our Skins. Students and alumni from Conservatory Lab played at the Hatch Shell last
Tess (right) with Eric Bethel, former principal of Turner Elementary, and Esperanza Spalding This year, Conservatory Lab was proud to promote Tess Plotkin to Director of El Sistema. In that role, she oversees the artistic and academic excellence
Continue readingAn Interview with Tess Plotkin, Director of El Sistema
Every year, students from Conservatory Lab join the Boston Landmarks Orchestra for a free concert at the Hatch Shell. Join us on August 21 at 7pm for this special occasion, which will include collaborations with Castle of our Skins and
Continue readingConservatory Lab plays with the Boston Landmarks Orchestra
Our 5th and 6th grade Conservatory Lab students created an awesome pamphlet entitled “6 Boston Nature Spots You Can Visit for Free on the T This Summer!” The students created this list after traveling to many of these spots during The
Conservatory Lab Charter School has secured funding to begin construction for its new Upper School, to be located at 395 Columbia Road in Dorchester. Conservatory Lab will celebrate this milestone on May 6th at 5 p.m. with a community-wide groundbreaking
Continue readingBreaking New Ground – A Special Message From Founding Chair Kitty Pell
Conservatory Lab students put on a special performance for The Arts Equity Summit. Arts Connect International partners with emerging artist leaders of color, and arts influencers who hold institutional power in the contemporary art world, to collectively build equity,
Continue readingConservatory Lab Performs at the Arts Equity Summit
Our El Sistema Resident Artists, Dr. Brad Barrett, and Kat Jara were thrilled to have had the opportunity to present at the Sphinx Connect conference. They shared the incredible work that they do at CLCS to develop students’ creative practice
Continue readingConservatory Lab’s Kat & Brad Present at Sphinx Connect
On January 25th, fifth and sixth graders from the Conservatory Lab Charter School headed to the Carney Hospital Chapel to watch Shades of Yale perform. Shades of Yale, an a cappella group from Yale University, was founded in 1988,
Continue readingShades of Yale Visit Conservatory Lab Charter School
On Saturday, January 26, 2019 the Conservatory Lab Charter School and students came together for their annual Winter Showcase, a day of musical learning and celebration. Students put on two performances—the first concert began at 9:30 a.m. and the afternoon
Continue readingConservatory Lab Charter School Presents: A Winter Showcase
On December 5th, students from the 2nd, 7th and 8th grades proceeded into the Statehouse to prepare for their world-inspired performance. Performing songs from Haiti, the Dominican Republic, in addition to a few holiday numbers, the 2nd grade Esperanza Spalding
On Friday, December 14, from 10:20 am – 2:20 pm, Conservatory Lab’s seventh grade students will truly become the teachers and channel their music skills into global action. They will be offering music lessons to raise funds for Water For
Continue readingMusic Lessons for South Sudan Water: Seventh Graders Need You!
August 2018 marked a historic moment in Conservatory Lab Charter School history. The school had just joined the Massachusetts Charter School Athletic Organization (MCSAO) and the first team represent the school, Co-Ed Soccer, was about to launch. As excitement steamed
Conservatory Lab Charter School has received a three-year grant of $480,000 from the Cedar Tree Foundation to support environmental education in preschool through eighth grades. This grant supports professional development, investments in new curriculum and equipment, programs such as community
Continue readingNew Funding for Environmental Science Education Programs
by Paul Sayed Last April, EL Education’s Fund for Teachers recognized Conservatory Lab Charter School science teacher Elizabeth Schibuk as a 2018 Fellow. Ms. Schibuk received her fellowship to document the human impact of an increasingly warming planet by researching the
On August 28, 2018, Conservatory Lab Charter School welcomed their students into their classrooms. This year promises to be one of the best years at Conservatory Lab. Take a look at some of our first-day photos below.
As artists, as scholars, and as leaders of our school and the world at large, it is important that Conservatory Lab 8th grade students leave our school knowing that they have made an impact on our school community, and thinking
On March 14, 2018, students from around the nation organized a walkout called #Enough to protest gun violence in school and Congress’ response to the massacre at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Students from around the country planned
To kick off our Black History Month celebrations, on February 2, 2018, our 5th and 6th grade choir students were treated with a performance by Shades of Yale, an acapella group from Yale University. As a group that celebrates the
On January 11, 2018, Conservatory Lab Director of El Sistema, Josue Gonzalez attended Puelche Frutillar, the International Forum on Creativity and Learning. The forum took place in the scenic Teatro de Lago in the coastal town of Frutillar in Chile.
On January 11, 2018, the Conservatory Lab Charter School participated in the Boston Public Schools Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at the Strand Theater in Dorchester, MA. Our students performed a set of songs including Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry
Continue readingDr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration with BPS