GROUNDBREAKING SCHOOL
Sci Academy featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show as one of the nation's groundbreaking charter schools. For details about our appearance on the show
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SCI SCHOLAR SHINES AT WRITER'S WORKSHOP
James Jones attended a literary festival in Aspen, Colorado. The Aspen Times reports on the young writer.
read moreNEW ORLEANS SCHOOLS SET EXAMPLE
Could the rest of the education system learn from the charter schools' example in New Orleans? The BBC reports from Sci Academy.
Our Vision | Our History | Our Partners | Our Faculty | Our Board | Photos
"Daily I am amazed that I am included on such an outstanding, brilliant team. We help each other out without complaint, listen to and support each other, handle issues with respect and curiosity. Our scholars are learning to be thoughtful, hardworking, inspired young people. I am lucky to be a part of this process."Kaycee Eckhardt - Sci Academy Reading Teacher
Benjamin Marcovitz | Founder | School Director and Principal
Benjamin Marcovitz is an experienced educator and formerly a teacher and Assistant Director at New Orleans Charter Science and Math High School (SciHigh). He began his teaching career at St. Mary's Academy in New Orleans and has also taught in the Boston Public School System. Mr. Marcovitz holds a B.A. from Yale University, a M.Ed. from Harvard University, and is never surprised to note the domination of Sci Academy's Yale advisories. Originally from Washington, D.C., Mr. Marcovitz founded Sci Academy in New Orleans in 2007 and has no plans to leave. He enjoys playing music, collecting records, the city's cuisine, and his brilliant wife, Meredith. Mr. Marcovitz may be reached at 504-287-5400 or bmarcovitz@sciacademy.org.
Meghan Blume | Literacy Interventionist | Elon Advisor
Meghan Blume grew up in Sheffield, Massachusetts and graduated from Elon University in North Carolina where she earned a B.A. in English with a dual concentration in Literature and Professional Writing and Rhetoric and a minor in French. Ms. Blume came to New Orleans in 2008 with Teach For America. She taught Reading at Henry Ford Middle School in Avondale before transitioning to the Literacy Interventionist position at Sci Academy. She is continually impressed with the perseverance of her scholars and the amazing quality of individuals within the Sci Academy team. When not at school, Ms. Blume enjoys being immersed in a great story (whether it's in a book or on a movie screen), eating delicious New Orleans food, listening to music, and taking her dog, Gatsby, for walks. Ms. Blume may be reached at 504-941-1880 or
mblume@sciacademy.org.Margo Bouchie | Director of Curriculum and Instruction| UConn Advisor
Margo Bouchie is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction and leader of the University of Connecticut advisory (the best!). She received her B.S. from the University of Connecticut in 2005 and went on to earn her M.Ed. from Chestnut Hill College while completing her Teach for America commitment in Philadelphia. Ms. Bouchie recently got married and is enjoying Mid-City dwelling. On the weekends, you can find her relaxing with her dog in City Park or enjoying all of the muffalattas and po-boys the city has to offer. Ms. Bouchie may be reached at 504-202-7193 or mbouchie@sciacademy.org.
Nicole Brenner | Technology Coordinator
Nicole Brenner grew up in Miami, Florida and attended Yale University where she earned a B.S. in Chemistry. Teach For America helped her bring her love for science and education to New Orleans. She worked as a Chemistry teacher at O. Perry Walker High School before transitioning to Sci Academy. Ms. Brenner loves exploring New Orleans's brunch spots, running through the city, and discussing educational reform. Ms. Brenner may be reached at 305-510-8229 or nbrenner@sciacademy.org.
Jerel Bryant | Humanities Instructor | Academic Dean of Humanities | Yale 13 Advisor
Jerel Bryant was raised in New York City. He graduated from Yale University in 2007 and was a Teach For America Corps Member at Edgar P. Harney Elementary in New Orleans. He taught middle school literacy for two years before arriving at Sci Academy to teach Civics to the class of 2012. He enjoys teaching at Sci because of the scholars' commitment to their achievement and the staff’s synergy that encourages innovation. When he has time, he enjoys reading nonfiction, catching up on sporting events, and going to the Uptown JCC for a quick workout. Mr. Bryant may be reached at 917-543-3419 or jbryant@sciacademy.org.
S. Morgan Carter | Chief Growth Officer, Collegiate Academies of New Orleans
Morgan Carter grew up in Austin, Texas and earned a B.A. from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine in 2003. After three years working in corporate recruitment in San Francisco, Ms. Carter pursued her passion for educational justice by earning a M.Ed. from Stanford University’s Policy, Organization, and Leadership Studies program. Upon graduation, Ms. Carter returned home to the South, first working for New Schools for New Orleans in fundraising and communications, and then serving as Executive Director of the Foundation for Science and Math Education. Ms. Carter is thrilled to join the Sci Academy team and contribute to the success of public schools in New Orleans by expanding our successful school model. Ms. Carter may be reached at 504-233-0283 or mcarter@sciacademy.org
Rhonda Dale-Hart | Literacy Instructor | Dean of Juniors | Western State Advisor
Rhonda Dale-Hart has been working in various aspects of education for more than a dozen years. Her experiences include working in teacher training and teacher recruitment, serving as a high school teacher in Texas and New Orleans prior to Hurricane Katrina, and working as an online high school administrator. Mrs. Dale-Hart was a founding team member at Sci Academy in 2008, and was awarded the Teacher of the Year award from Louisiana Charter School Association in 2009. Mrs. Dale-Hart may be reached at 504-975-0652 or rdalehart@sciacademy.org.
Ben Davis | Numeracy Instructor | Dean of Freshmen | Middlebury Advisor
Ben Davis attended Middlebury College in rural Vermont where he earned a degree in Geography. Mr. Davis joined Sci Academy in 2009 as a Freshman Algebra teacher, and this year is also serving as the Freshman Dean. In his spare time Mr. Davis is an avid soccer player and devotée of the city's dining establishments. Mr. Davis may be reached at 631-241-2610 or bdavis@sciacademy.org.
Kristin Do | Accounting and Compliance Manager
Kristin Do was born in Vietnam and spent most of her early childhood in New Orleans. She lived most of her life in Chicago and graduated from DePaul University with a major in finance. She was inspired by Hurricane Katrina to return to New Orleans and is grateful to have found such an inspirational and wonderful place to work in Sci Academy. Ms. Do may be reached at 504-241-0037 or kdo@sciacademy.org.
Kaycee Eckhardt | Literacy Instructor | LSU Advisor
Kaycee Eckhardt grew up in Louisiana. She attended LSU and lived in Japan for four years. Inspired my Hurricane Katrina to return to her Louisiana home, she taught in the Recovery School District for a year before joining the founding staff of Sci Academy. She has been teaching freshman reading for the past three years. Ms. Eckhardt and Ms. Dale-Hart were named Louisiana Charter School Association Teachers of the Year in 2008-2009. Ms. Eckhardt attended the Aspen Institute in 2009, and the Education Champions and the NBC Education Summit in New York City this fall. She believes that unconditional love and high expectations change lives, and to do anything less for the children of New Orleans is absolutely unacceptable. Ms. Eckhardt may be reached at 504-344-3638 or keckhardt@sciacademy.org.
Kim Frusciante | Humanities Instructor | Tulane Newcomb Advisor
Raised in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, Kim Frusciante came to New Orleans for college in 2002. She graduated in 2005, months before Hurricane Katrina, with a degree in Political Science and minors in International Development and Women's Studies from Newcomb College at Tulane University. After teaching Social Studies for several years in Dallas, Ms. Frusciante returned to New Orleans to be a part of the education movement and now teaches US History and APUSH. Ms. Frusciante loves New Orleans cuisine, Saints football, and playing with her cat, Boudin, and dog, Nola. Ms. Frusciante may be reached at 504-814-0260 or kfrusciante@sciacademy.org.
Kelley Hubbell | Social Worker | Dean of Sophomores | Davidson Advisor
Kelley Hubbell is the Director of Social Work and the Sophomore Dean at Sci Academy. She received her B.A. in Sociology at Davidson College and received her M.A. in Social Work at Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St Louis. While at Davidson, Ms. Hubbell was leader of the Habitat for Humanity Davidson Chapter, which raised over $60,000 to build a house for a local Davidson family in under a year. She has been at Sci Academy since it’s founding and is the proud advisor of the lovely Davidson Wildcats. Ms. Hubbell enjoys a meal at Theo’s Pizza (a family establishment, she notes) at least once a week, is loving aunt to six nieces and nephews. She loves the cuisine, culture, music, and livelihood of New Orleans. Ms. Hubbell may be reached at 504-717-6614 or khubbell@sciacademy.org.
Aidan Kelly | Humanities Instructor | Harvard Advisor
Aidan Kelly, from Yonkers, New York, studied History and Literature at Harvard University before joining the 2008 Greater New Orleans corps of Teach for America. He taught math and English for two years at Martyn Academy, an alternative school in Jefferson Parish, before coming on staff at Sci to teach sophomore Speech/Writing and junior ACT Composition. A resident of the Faubourg Treme, he is deeply interested in the history and culture of New Orleans, despite never having been to the South before coming to New Orleans for Teach For America. A Confederacy of Dunces and The Moviegoer, set in New Orleans, both appear on his list of favorite books. Mr. Kelly may be reached at 504-470-3327 or akelly@sciacademy.org.
Riley Kennedy | Managing Director, Business & Operations | Tulane Advisor
Riley Kennedy grew up in Clinton, Louisiana and attended Tulane University where she earned a B.S. in Finance and Legal Studies in Business and served in the Freeman Student Government. After serving as Brand Manager at Revman International in New York City for several years, Ms. Kennedy is thrilled to be back in New Orleans and feels very fortunate to spend her days learning from both scholars and her fellow Sci Academy staff members. Ms. Kennedy played competitive basketball throughout her high school and college years. She was recently married to Robert Miller, with whom she enjoys exploring new restaurants, and she is very happy to live so close to her large Southern family and the Gulf again. Ms. Kennedy may be reached at 504-390-6353.
Rachel Prampin | Office Manager
Bio coming soon! Ms. Prampin can be reached at 504-241-0037 or rprampin@sciacademy.org.
Alexander Levey | Director of College Counseling
Bio coming soon! Mr. Levey can be reached at alevey@sciacademy.org.
James Lukens | Humanities Instructor | UNC Advisor
James Lukens grew up in Wyomissing, PA near Philadelphia and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he received a B.A. in International and Area Studies. He joined Teach For America in Philadelphia where he earned his M.Ed. with a focus in Special Education from Chestnut Hill College. Mr. Lukens then went on to earn his M.P.H. in Epidemiology from Tulane University. He is extremely excited about instilling global curiosity and perspective in our 9th grade scholars. Mr. Lukens may be reached at 504-383-4843 or jlukens@sciacademy.org.
Isaac Pollack | Science Instructor | Academic Dean of Science | University of Maryland Advisor
Isaac Pollack grew up in Rockville, Maryland and received a dual degree from the University of Maryland in Physics and Science Education. He later attended the University of Pennsylvania where he earned a M.Ed. in Urban Education. He began his teaching career in 2006 as a Teach For America Philadelphia corps member. Mr. Pollack teaches freshmen Physics, where he is proud to say that our scholars show more perseverance than he ever thought possible! Mr. Pollack loves New Orleans cuisine ("Gumbo, Jambalaya, Red Beans & Rice? AMAZING!") and enjoys spending his time outside of the classroom kayaking through the city's bayous. Mr. Pollack may be reached at 301-938-7734 or ipollack@sciacademy.org.
Vicky Ravin | Numeracy Instructor | Academic Dean of Numeracy | Northeastern Advisor
Vicky Ravin grew up in Boston, Massachusetts. Upon graduation from Northeastern University with a Masters of Teaching, she began teaching Geometry and Algebra II at City on a Hill Charter School. Vicky is excited to start her second year at Sci Academy. She looks forward to pushing the scholars to higher achievement and understanding of high school mathematics. This year she teaches Geometry and Integrated Mathematics II to the sophomores. She also heads the Northeastern Advisory and looks forward to see her ladies graduate in 2013. Ms. Ravin may be reached at 504-272-7344 or vravin@sciacademy.org.
Jane Shiu | Science Instructor | Chicago Advisor
Jane Shiu grew up in Winnipeg, Canada, and Iowa City, IA. She attended the University of Chicago, where she decided that she did not want to become a doctor, and instead received degrees in Public Policy Studies and International Studies. However, her love for science continued when she moved to Louisiana to become a science teacher. She taught middle school science in Opelousas for two years before moving to New Orleans. Ms. Shiu now teaches Junior Chemistry and Math Lab for freshmen. She loves being a part of the Sci community and seeing her scholars persevere and achieve every single day! Ms. Shiu may be reached at 504-814-0205 or jshiu@sciacademy.org.
Soraya Verjee | Human Capital Director | Berkeley Advisor
Soraya Verjee came to New Orleans from her home in the San Francisco Bay Area. After studying Bioengineering at the University of California at Berkeley, she worked in management consulting and non-profit management for 5 years. Ms. Verjee joined the Sci Academy staff to develop true mathematicians and to instill in scholars a passion for learning. Ms. Verjee teaches Integrated Mathematics I, a course that incorporates one half of the 9th grade Algebra I curriculum. The other half is taught by Mr. Ben Davis. Ms. Verjee may be reached at 504-684-4685 or sverjee@sciacademy.org.
Robin Wright | Humanities Instructor | Pitzer Advisor
Robin A. Wright grew up in southern California and attended Pitzer College (of The Claremont Colleges) where she studied Literature, Physical Science, and Sociology. She taught Literature and Drama in South Los Angeles for several years before moving to Gentilly in the summer of 2008. Now at Sci, she teaches College Prep Writing to freshman, and is amazed at how much she learns from her brilliant colleagues everyday. Ms. Wright may be reached at 504-975-8627 or rwright@sciacademy.org.
Nick Wachtler | Numeracy Instructor | Yale Bulldogs Advisor
Nick Wachtler was born in Richardson, Texas, and earned a B.A. in Economics from Yale University. Mr. Wachtler came to New Orleans through Teach For America. Before teaching at Sci Academy, Mr. Wachtler taught Algebra and coached football at East St. John High School. He enjoys food, football and spending time with his friends and dog. Mr. Wachtler may be reached at 504-799-9799 or nwachtler@sciacademy.org.
Donna Ward | Executive Assistant
Donna Ward grew up in Austin, Texas and moved to New Orleans to attend Tulane University. She graduated with a B.A. in American Studies. Throughout college, Ms. Ward volunteered with school programs around the city. After graduating, Ms. Ward worked for several non-profits before making her way into education and taking the position at Sci Academy. Ms. Ward cay be reached at 504-287-5400 or dward@sciacademy.org.
