Met School celebrates 20 years of changing education

By Kelcy Dolan
Posted 5/31/16

The Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center, The Met School, recently celebrated 20 years of promoting radical change in education. Dennis Littky and Elliot Washor founded the Met School in the fall of 1996. In the first year 50 students

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Met School celebrates 20 years of changing education

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The Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center, The Met School, recently celebrated 20 years of promoting radical change in education.

Dennis Littky and Elliot Washor founded the Met School in the fall of 1996. In the first year 50 students attended school at the Shepard Building in Downtown Providence.

Littky and Washor based their schools on “What’s best for the kids?” using mainstream educational theories to develop a curriculum that focuses on each students’ individualized academic interests, goals and aspirations. Students are encouraged to take charge of their own learning and participate in numerous internships and a college transition program. This student-centered institution was Littky and Washor’s platform for educational reform.

Over the past 20 years the Met School has expanded to six small public high schools in Providence and Newport and has become the model for more than 100 schools globally. More than 2,000 students have graduated since its’ opening, and with a 90 percent graduation rate more than 450 local partners providing internships and real world work experiences. In 2016 nearly 900 students from all across the state attended the Met School.

On Saturday, May 21 the Met School hosted a daylong celebration in Providence for their 20th anniversary. It began first thing in the morning with a bike fest, and throughout the day there was a carnival, live music, a basketball tournament, food trucks, a job fair and more.

Later that afternoon Governor Gina Raimondo and Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza came together with other political figures as well as Met School representatives to speak about the anniversary and the success the Met School has seen in the past 20 years.

Several awards were given, including The Met Entrepreneur of the Year to Ty Law, New England Patriots Hall of Famer and owner of Launch Trampoline Park.

"I am honored to receive the Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the Met's 20th anniversary and be part of the celebration highlighting 20 years of encouraging students to follow their passion," said Law, the former Pats Pro Bowler.

Carolyn Rafaelian, founder, CEO & chief creative officer of Alex & Ani, will be inducted into The Met Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame, and Jesse Suchmann, Met Class of 2002 and Chief Creative Officer of Organize.com will receive the 2016 Met Alumni Award.

Rafaelian said, “It is so exciting to be honored by The Met, and to receive this award alongside other business leaders and remarkable alumni. The Met is a wonderful resource as one of Rhode Island’s most innovative and progressive schools led by creative, out of the box thinkers that help our youth by encouraging creativity and influencing the next generation of change makers. This award and celebration is a positive reflection on the importance of community development and the investment in our future.”

After the rally, the celebration continued at WaterFire with the Ring of Fire Ceremony featuring Met students, staff, alumni, mentors and families and pop star and American idol finalist David Hernandez.

ENTREPRENEUR:

Patriots Hall of Famer and Launch Trampoline Park owner Ty Law was recognized as The Met Entrepreneur of the Year at the 20th Anniversary Celebration last Saturday. (Josh Edenbaum photo) SHOE WITH SOLE:

Alongside receiving The Met Entrepreneur of the Year, Ty Law, Patriots Hall of Famer (right), was also given a pair of customized shoes by Cranston Student Gabby Martinez. Director and co-founder of the Met School Dennis Littky (left) presented Law with the shoes. (Josh Edenbaum photo) STUDENT WORK:

Gabby Martinez (left) personalized several pairs of sneakers to present to dignitaries as part of the celebration. Here she presents Governor Gina Raimondo with her very own pair. (Josh Edenbaum photo)

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