Citizen Schools | 6,628 followers on LinkedIn. Helping all students to thrive in school and beyond through hands-on learning and career mentors. | Citizen Schools is re-imagining the middle school experience for low income students; ensuring that each child has the academic support, hands-on learning experiences and mentorship required to combat the opportunity gap and position them for success in high school, college and as productive and inspired members of American society. Citizen Schools was founded in 1995 by Eric Schwarz and Ned Rimer, former college roommates concerned with the rise of youth crime, struggling neighborhoods, and challenges within public schools in Boston. The extended learning time (ELT) model Citizen Schools uses today grew out of a series of successful summer-time apprenticeships, taught by Eric and Ned.