Epiphany in Progress... The Film

The Epiphany School

Background

The Epiphany School is a tuition-free, private, Episcopal middle school for fifth through eighth grades located in Boston, Massachusetts. 40 boys and 40 girls attend Epiphany. The school's mission is to give a quality, tuition-free education to at-risk middle school students, an education that nurtures their academic, spiritual, social, and athletic growth.

Epiphany targets low-income students who are not flourishing in Boston's public schools. The admissions process involves a review of an applicant's academic history and economic status, an essay by the applicant about why he or she wants to attend the school, and an interview. Once a student is deemed an appropriate candidate, priority is given to siblings of Epiphany students; the remaining places are filled by lottery.

The school emphasizes reading, writing, science, and mathematics, but also offers art, music, Spanish, social studies, and sports. All students are required to take classes in religion/ethics. The core academic disciplines are taught in single-sex classes averaging 10 students.

Epiphany is a full-service school. The school day starts at 8 AM and ends at 8 PM with two hours of study hall. Staff members and a wide array of volunteers tutor students, and help them and their families gain access to health and social services. The volunteers include students from local private schools, parents of Epiphany students, and congregants from Episcopal churches located throughout Greater Boston.

Staff

Head of School John Finley graduated from Harvard College in 1992 and from Harvard Divinity School in 2001. He taught for four years at Nativity Prep Academy in Boston. In 1995, he founded a summer school for Nativity students. He was a founding member of On the Rise, a shelter for homeless women, and is a trustee of The Stephen J. Phillips Scholarship Trust, a program awarding four million dollars annually to graduating high school seniors with significant financial need for college. During Epiphany's opening year, he also taught math to the sixth grade girls. Mr. Finley has remained with the school.

Director of Community Outreach/Chaplain Rev. Jennifer Daly earned a B.S. from Boston College in Education and English in 1984 and an M.Div. from Episcopal Divinity School in 1990. She was the Director of the English Program and Secondary School Placement at Nativity Prep Academy for four years. She is certified to teach middle and high school English. She oversees Epiphany's community service program; the larger community's involvement with the school; parent and guardian involvement; and the availability of necessary support networks for Epiphany students. During Epiphany's first year, she also coordinated the school's reading program and occasionally taught music. Ms. Daly has remained with the school.

Administrative Head Ken Binsack graduated in 1995 from Boston College with a degree in Business Administration and worked for State Street Bank. During the school's opening year Mr. Binsack managed the financial aspects of the school, maintained the database, and oversaw the newsletter. He also taught sports and introductory Spanish. Mr. Binsack is no longer with the Epiphany School.

Master Teacher — Social Studies and Spanish Edward Schuller practiced law for nine years before returning to graduate school to earn an M.Ed. and his teacher certification. Prior to coming to Epiphany he taught for six years in Costa Rica and Massachusetts, specializing in learning disabilities. Mr. Schuller has remained with the school.

Master Teacher — Math and Science Michelle Gomes, a native of Cape Verde who grew up in Boston, earned both her B.A. and her M.Ed. at Boston College, where she graduated from the Donovan Scholars Program for teachers committed to urban schools in 1998. Before coming to Epiphany she apprenticed in the Boston and Providence, R.I. public school systems. Ms. Gomes has remained with the school. She now serves as its Principal.

Master Teacher — English Frances Abernethy earned her B.A. in English and completed the Teacher Education Program at Davidson College in 1992. She then taught for three years in the largest public school in North Carolina, Independence High in Charlotte. At Epiphany she also coached girls soccer. Ms. Abernethy has remained with the school.

Teaching Interns Five interns who taught during the school's first year were recent college graduates of Amherst, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale. One intern was an undergraduate on a leave of absence from Harvard. At Epiphany the interns taught classes in the core disciplines, coached sports, helped prepare meals, ran study hall, provided extra academic help, ran the library, and administered discipline.

All teachers and interns served as student advisors. An additional number of people worked in paid or unpaid capacities, including a part-time grant writer, two professional fundraising advisors, a child psychologist, a learning disabilities evaluator (Dr. David Urion), two art teachers, and a music teacher who was the choir master and organist at All Saints Church (Michael Kleinschmidt).

Making the film | About the film crew | Film credits

Feature version | Epiphany School | Epiphany's first year | Epiphany School now |