Public Achievement is model for democracy that is shared with students all over the world. St. Gregory’s has adopted the Public Achievement model and program as a part of our exploratory curriculum. Students may choose to be a part of the program and give up recess one time a week to meet as a group and discuss issues that are close to their heart. They work to make a difference in the world.

How Do Our Students Impact Our Community?

Our Public Achievement groups make a difference within our school/parish, our community and our world. By discussing issues that they are passionate about and finding ways to involve themselves in these issues, our students are able to understand how democracy works and how their voices can be heard.

What Are the Student Issues?

For the 2002-2003 school year, our Public Achievement students are working on such issues as decorating the school, having a school mascot/generating school spirit, combating animal abuse, understanding divorce, reviewing the school’s dress code policies, bringing a snack machine into the school, eliminating smoking in area businesses, having school lockers, and developing an international Public Achievement group.

Where Do We Find Our Coaches?

Public Achievement students work weekly with coaches that help them through their process of making change. Coaches from our local community volunteer their time. Two local organizations, New England Business Systems and The Conception Abbey, believe that Public Achievement makes a substantial difference in our students, their employees or students and our community. They have committed to having volunteers work with our students weekly and these organizations consider this to be a part of their employees contracted time. This collaboration has created an authentic learning environment for our students.