Boston, MA: Special school gets $100K for expansion; 60 students with 'significant disabilities'

Nov 10, 2026, Boston Herald: Carter School wins $100K prize after doubling enrollment, advancing special education academics

The Carter School received the annual $100,000 School on the Move Prize from the nonprofit EdVestors, recognizing the recently rebuilt South End special education school’s work in expanding enrollment and serving students with complex needs.

“The Carter School community demonstrates every day what is possible when a school combines deep expertise, a commitment to continuous improvement, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every student,” said EdVestors CEO and President Marinell Rousmaniere. “Serving students with significant disabilities and complex medical needs requires extraordinary dedication, creativity, and collaboration among educators, specialists, families, and partners.” . . .

The South End-based school will receive $80,000 in cash and $20,000 designated for best-practice research, EdVestors said. Runner-up finalists for the prize Dante Alighieri Montessori School in East Boston and New Mission High School in Hyde Park will also receive $20,000 each, which was doubled this year after an anonymous donation.

BPS Superintendent Mary Skipper said the “progress in each of these three schools reflects the dedication, expertise, and care that educators and staff bring to their students and community every day, offering valuable examples of how strong school communities can work together to improve student outcomes.”

EdVestors noted that the Carter has “nearly doubled its enrollment over the past two years,” along with expanding the age range of students.

“Over the past five years, the Carter School has evolved from a medical care model to implementing a rigorous academic framework specifically designed for students with significant disabilities,” EdVestors stated, citing the school’s expanded Augmentative Communication Systems helping “non-speaking learners to gain linguistic agency and participate in complex instruction” and programs for multilingual learners and professional development.

The school’s years-long redesign took the facility from 25 students to 60 and classrooms from 5 to 12, adding on amenities like a therapeutic pool, rooftop outdoor classroom and literacy commons.

Rousmaniere said the school has an environment where “students are known, valued, challenged, and supported to reach their fullest potential.”

“Boston is building the best urban school district in the country by expanding what works to more schools and ensuring that every student has the support and structure to reach their full potential,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. … “Congratulations to the students, educators, families, and staff of the Carter School, Dante Alighieri Montessori School, and New Mission High School for showing what’s possible when all students have the opportunity to thrive.”