Opening Up: Joshua Beauregard

Simultaneously opening a school and finishing doctoral studies isn’t an easy task. But this fall doctoral candidate Joshua Beauregard, Ed.M.’12, will do just that. He will open Unity Prep — a grade 6–12, tuition-free, public charter school in Brooklyn, N.Y. Meanwhile, Beauregard plans to continue work on his dissertation examining the causal impact of attending a well-established charter school network in San Diego, Calif., on secondary and postsecondary outcomes.

“While the upcoming year is going to be an extremely busy one, I am excited to be opening the school as well as forging ahead with my research,” Beauregard says. Here he discusses the ins and outs of opening a new school.

What makes Unity Prep unique? To realize this mission of empowering our students as scholars and citizens so they may lead fulfilling academic, personal, and professional lives, we will rely on seven core elements that we believe collectively make Unity both unique, and most importantly, beneficial to kids and their learning. Some of these elements have been borrowed from other terrific schools in Boston, New York City, and beyond while others are specific to our model.

What are they? Chief among our core elements are: our college-prep curriculum in the liberal arts and sciences that fosters in students the desire and capacity to learn independently, think critically, and communicate proficiently; our supportive school culture in which students are given tools to develop character, gain confidence in their ability to learn, take responsibility for their own learning, and both support and feel supported by the entire community; and a strong co-curricular program in athletics, performing arts, and a host of after-school clubs that pique and develop students' interests.  We are also excited about our innovative teacher career ladder and professional development systems in which we recruit talented educators, provide them with opportunities to develop their craft, and retain them through formal recognition of their expertise, generous compensation, and a manageable yet challenging workload.

Have there been any unexpected challenges in opening a new school? The application process here in New York is rigorous and requires a great deal of time, attention, and resources. The sheer amount of work, including conducting community outreach; developing curricula; and planning out the various systems, structures, and programs within our school design has proven to be quite challenging. Fortunately, I am working with a strong team of talented colleagues who have all played instrumental roles in addressing each of these areas.

What is the hardest of opening a new school? The hardest part for me has been in managing the long list of tasks that must be completed by the time we open our doors this coming fall.

And, the easiest? The easiest part has been the part that I enjoy the most – gathering best practices being used by other terrific schools and figuring out ways to incorporate them into our model.

Any worries when you envision the opening this fall? I am confident in the overall model and design of our school, but there are so many moving parts and components. I get somewhat anxious when thinking about general implementation and whether all the various elements of our model will coalesce once we open.

Do you have advice for fellow Ed Schoolers thinking about opening a new school? First, work with a team – don’t go it alone! Second, take advantage of your time at HGSE to begin developing your school design and seek out courses that will directly inform your decisions. Third, have a deep knowledge of the community your school will serve and be proactive in engaging community members to gather their ideas and feedback to inform your model.