Making Community Connections

Changemaker School
Illustration of buildings depicting an organization
Network Member Since 2016

Making Community Connections Charter School (MC2) aspires to provide the conditions that enable each individual to become empowered with the knowledge and skills to use his or her voice effectively and with integrity in co-creating our public global world. MC2 intentionally focuses on students’ gifts and abilities, leveraging learners’ strengths while providing multiple strategies for addressing challenges. By empowering students to be contributing participants in their education, their community, and the diverse global society they live in, and by working with families and the community to create a learning community that provides students with learning experiences that are immediately relevant, MC2 Charter School graduates citizens of the world, who have the will, skill, knowledge, and capacity to contribute to the greater good and are ready for college, career, and whatever life might bring their way. Deeply student-centered in its design and operations, MC2’s  theory of change is built upon a deep understanding and appreciation of adolescent development, motivation, and learning sciences. Starting with how students learn, MC2 prioritizes developing students’ motivation, maturity (demonstrating the habits of mind and being), community contributions, and metacognition. MC2 Charter School's innovative model is based in school choice. Inherent in giving their students choice for curriculum and shaping school culture they coach on responsibility through their 17 MC2 habits.  These habits are designed to help support students to become strong community members and develop the life skills to succeed.  They also emphasize self-assessment so students can recognize the importance of reflection.