It’s been a few weeks since the 2025 BVR Accelerator wrapped, and I’m still in awe of the incredible work our students and faculty accomplished over the two-week experience.
When reflecting on this year’s BVR Accelerator, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for our community. The Accelerator allowed students to dive deep into topics and spend meaningful time exploring them using multiple lenses. Travel and guest speakers expanded learning beyond the classroom. It’s been incredibly inspiring to see how Beaver teachers used the structure of the Accelerator to reimagine how teaching and learning can be done.
One of the most powerful aspects of the Accelerator was the chance to build community. Spending so much concentrated time with the same group of people, both in the classroom and out in the world, allowed students and teachers to connect in new ways. These bonds will make a lasting impact and allow students to see each other in a new light as they interact with one another this spring!
During the first week, I joined an Accelerator that combined Entrepreneurship and Integrated Math to focus on studying the economic future of Boston. Students were divided into six groups, each studying an industry that contributes to the current economic ecosystem in our city. We went into City Hall and heard from multiple speakers who are actively engaged in growing and expanding what is done to attract new and more inclusive opportunities to Boston. Tasked with making the case for how best to grow their industry over the course of the next decade, I was impressed by how our students led with curiosity and asked questions that city experts considered as sophisticated as those asked by college students.
Beaver’s ability to break down classroom walls to contextualize learning in real-world settings was on full display during the Accelerator, with similar trips happening all over New England and abroad. As I watched footage of students playing music in Cuba and exploring historical landmarks in Spain, I felt a profound sense of joy.
The success of this year’s Accelerator wouldn’t have been possible without the Beaver community. The parents, alumni, and community members who volunteered their time to connect with students and facilitate learning experiences were a reminder of how kind and innovative our community is. Connecting with so many of these community members is an aspect of the Accelerator for which I’m genuinely thankful.
The showcase at the end of the Accelerator was the perfect way to wrap up the experience. It gave students a chance to present their work and show off what they’ve been exploring for two weeks. Seeing the pride on students’ faces as they presented their work, connected with peers, and detailed their experiences made all the hard work worthwhile. It was such a powerful way for them to reflect on their learning and celebrate the journey they’ve been on together.
The 2025 BVR Accelerator has been an unforgettable experience and a dream come true. The impact these two weeks have had on students will only continue to grow as they lean on the lessons they learned, the skills they developed, and the connections they made along the way.
