About ODWIN

ODWIN Learning Center was founded in 1964 by Mary Malone, a nurse and educator then teaching at Boston University. The initial goal was to help underserved high school students achieve success in nursing schools (hence the name: ODWIN - Opening Doors Wider In Nursing.)

Subsequently the program evolved in response to demonstrated needs in the community and now focuses exclusively on the educational needs of adults who wish to achieve a professional career that requires a college education. ODWIN's two-fold mission is:

(1) To counteract poverty by enabling non-traditional students (people of color, ethnic minorities, working poor with inadequate educational preparation) to enter the professions, thus enabling them and their families to escape poverty, achieve positions of influence, and enhance economic and social change in the Boston community.

(2) To counteract racism and sexism, two of the key causes of the conditions that cause poverty, by increasing the number of competent women and minorities in the professions.

ODWIN's students and potential students are people who recognize that education is the key to overcoming any obstacles that hamper their ability to obtain professional careers.

There are no geographic restrictions to our program. We draw students from Boston's neighborhoods as well as the broader community, including Malden, Chelsea, Quincy, Brockton, Lynn, Salem, and Lowell. We serve approximately 300-400 students annually who range in age from 18-60, with an average age of 38. The majority of our students are women of color, many of them are heads-of-household.

We have served people from all over the world and varied levels of educational backgrounds.

Don't let academic problems prevent you from reaching your professional goal. ODWIN has prepared thousands of people to successfully complete the college education that is essential to entering a well-paid position in a highly competitive job market.

Adults 18 years of age and older may enroll at ODWIN to take courses at the Foundation or Advance levels.

EVENING CLASSES ARE NOW OFFERED MONDAY TO THURSDAYS.

NEW COURSE SPRING 2008
Accent Reduction
Basic Computer

Foundation Courses:
Basic Math
English Grammar
Reading/Study Skills

Individualized student-paced progress/ungraded open-ended time
Small classes: 8:1 student:teacher ration
1.5-2 hour class periods
Meets 2 times per week

Advanced Courses:
Algebra
Biology
Chemistry
Composition
Computer Humanities
Notetaking
Pharmacological Math
Thinking/Reasoning
Conventionally structured group classes, teacher-paced and graded; up to 18:1 student:teacher ratio 1.5-2 hour class periods,2x/wk.

Approximately 90% of those who complete their educational plans at ODWIN go on to graduate from college in the discipline of their choice and to reach their chosen career goals.

ODWIN Graduates receive fFollow-up support while in college as needed.

PLEASE CALL US AT 617-282-5320 FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SIGNING UP TO TAKE CLASSES. ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED MUST FIRST ATTEND AN INFORMATION SESSION. YOU MAY ALSO SEND AN EMAIL TO info@odwin.org.