BCL15 had another engaging and powerful week, last week! We have been talking about and practicing vulnerability, exploring local businesses and non-profits, and trying our hand at nature journaling.

BCL is a unique place-based experiential program that offers full BHS credit to Juniors and Seniors. In BCL, Burlington itself is both our classroom and our curriculum. It’s real-world, empowering, and fun! To learn more about Burlington City & Lake Semester, watch this short video, check out our blog, or follow us on Instagram: @btvcityandlake

We couldn’t be more proud of BCL14 students and the public event they hosted on May 14th to unveil our mural, “Hands of Hope: One Community” on Church Street! The party featured delicious food, great music courtesy of DJ Harper Kenney, and live screen printing provided by Brittany Mae, our artist-in-residence. So many members of our community showed up to celebrate – from city leaders, to BHS administrators, teachers, and students, to parents, siblings, and friends. The city estimates that there were over 200 attendees! 

The mural is a visual culmination of the learning students have experienced this semester as they sought answers to BCL’s essential question, what does it take for a community to thrive? Over the past few months, and alongside dozens of community partners, students have explored sustainability, values-based businesses, third spaces, the housing crisis, urban planning, logos and branding, and the role of public art in fueling social change. The mural, a testament to the ideas of community care and belonging, will remain on Church Street until it moves to the new high school in the fall of 2026.

Check out NBC5’s coverage of the event here, WCAX’s coverage here, and to read students’ reflections on the mural project and see photos of the art process, check out the Burlington City & Lake’s blog.