A Summer of Work and Learning at Battleship Cove

A story written by our SWL students
A Summer of Work & Learning (SWL) is a program designed by local high school teachers to help students pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam. All 10th-grade students must receive a score of 220 out of 280 points on the English and math MCAS test in order to receive a diploma. Students who do not pass are given three more chances to pass before graduation. If they do not pass, then students will receive a certificate of attendance.

During SWL, the students are tutored for the MCAS from 8:30 –11:30 AM and work from 12-4 PM. In the English portion of the tutoring, the English teacher uses Summit textbooks and the past MCAS exams as a study guide. The students also get the chance to explore and write about the exhibits on the battleship. During the math session, students get to do a lot of hands-on projects, e.g., the students work together to build a replica of the Braga Bridge and the surrounding landscape with GeoMags. This project helped the students learn about geometry, algebra, etc. The math teacher also uses Summit textbooks and sample questions from the past MCAS exams. Both teachers use incentives and games to encourage the students to be on time and to participate in the lessons.

For Students
Fun Stuff
Boating Program
Liberty Weeks
Camp Cove
Nautical Nights
Summer of Work & Learning
Scavenger Hunt

There are many job sites involved in SWL. Some students are working at the Battleship Cove and the Marine Museum.

“I’m so grateful to be in this program because you not only learn academically, but you learn different jobs. I have learned so much from the veterans and the staff who work here at the battleship,” replies Kenny DeMello, a student from Westport High School.

Another student from Westport, Niki Michaud, said, “This is my second summer program and it has been a great experience. The teachers do an awesome job, and the people at the battleship are helpful and friendly.”

Click here to read about the Pride of the Fleet program, in which Fleet Boston Financial Foundation has sponsored Battleship Cove field trips for Greater Boston students who aced the MCAS.

~Written cooperatively by Battleship Cove’s Summer of Work & Learning students: Amy Inarrito, Nicole Michaud, Kenneth DeMello, Justin Lemelin, Chad Dufour, Randy Lima, and James Gilbert.