MassINC is working hard to find new ways to tell the story of Gateway City Leaders. This video and the related case study describe Lawrence’s community partnership model.

Jeff Riley, the leader appointed to transform the Lawrence schools in 2012, immediately set about extending the school day to offer students a wider array of learning opportunities. A central component of this strategy was engaging with local nonprofits. Lawrence’s community organizations embraced the opportunity to share all that they could provide. They were especially adept at helping the district connect with parents, who had previously felt unwelcome in the schools. Public education in Lawrence is steadily improving in measurable ways. But the most valuable gains that this transformation has produced for both the community and its youth are more difficult to quantify. Watch the video below to hear more about these improvements through the voices of the city’s leaders.