Citizen Schools :: Our History

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Our History

1995
John Werner and Anita Price are the campus directors of the first Citizen Schools program.

1996
The first WOW!, at Boston's Harbor Point, features an address by Mayor Thomas M. Menino.

1997
The law offices of Hale and Dorr (now Wilmer Hale) teach the first legal apprenticeships.

1998
Apprentices organize the first Run for Health to raise fitness awareness, supported by Putnam Investments.

1999
Opening and closing circles, value stars, and shout-outs become program rituals.

2000
Citizen Schools moves into new headquarters in Boston's Children's Museum.

2001
8th Grade Academy, with a focus on writing, data analysis, and college exploration, launches in Bo

2002
Affiliates open in Framingham and Worcester, MA; Houston, TX; and San Jose, CA.

2003
Lesley University offers a Master's degree in out-of-school education to Citizen Schools Teaching Fellows.

2004
The National WOW! Convention brings together apprentices, Citizen Teachers, and staff from across the country to demonstrate their achievements.

2006
At the Reimagining After-School Symposium in Washington, DC, more than 120 education leaders are addressed by two Citizen Schools alumni.