Building a Culture of Joyful Learning: A Case Study of Improvement at the Harvard-Kent Elementary School

This case study documents the transformation of the Harvard-Kent Elementary School in Charlestown, winner of EdVestors' 2019 School on the Move Prize. Over the past five years, a focus on meeting the needs of the whole child and strengthening early literacy instruction has catapulted academic performance at the Harvard-Kent, one of the most racially diverse schools in Boston. The Harvard-Kent is now shrinking opportunity and achievement gaps for low-income students, students with disabilities, students of color, and English Language Learners. This case study explores how the Harvard-Kent made impressive academic gains by engaging teachers to create a school culture where students feel valued and where learning is experiential and engaging.