In December 1986, a small group of South Shore residents met in the dining room of a parent's home to discuss the growing concerns about the education offered by the neighborhood high school. In the process, we grew from a group of residents concerned about one school to a network of 10 schools plus community organizations, businesses, institutions and, still, individual residents. At the heart of the collaborative is the South Shore Educational Charter, which articulates the educational commitment of the community. It takes an entire village to raise a childC expresses our philosophy of bringing community and schools together.
All children have the right to live, learn, work and play in a safe and secure environment.
The community must help its youth honor our African-American cultural heritage as well as understand other cultures and their relationships with the community and world. Education must include meaningful and productive work. Education must respect the spiritual life of the community. Community service by adults and students is the foundation for community unity. The collaborative has launched a number of programs to advance these beliefs.