Friday, October 23rd | 3-6pm ET
Avela Presents: Spirits & Strategy at Hecate
An invite-only CGCS reception for district leaders
Enrollment, Cocktails & Conversation
Join Avela at Hecate (one of two Boston bars to be named to the 50 BEST BARS list) on Friday, October 23, from 3:00–6:00 PM, for a private reception with superintendents and leaders from some of the country’s largest school districts, in Boston for CGCS.
We’ll enjoy expertly crafted cocktails and mocktails, passed bites and appetizers, and plenty of time for candid conversation in one of Boston’s most distinctive spaces.
Tucked beneath a Back Bay alley, Hecate is a celebrated European-inspired cocktail bar known for its inventive menu, mythology-steeped design, and singular atmosphere.
We’ve reserved Hecate ahead of its regular hours exclusively for Avela guests — giving us the entire space to connect, enjoy great food and drinks, and unwind together before the bar opens to the public.
Destination:
Hecate
World's 50 Best Discovery Bars 2026
Public Alley 443, Boston, MA 02115 (entrance off Gloucester Street)
(0.3 miles/6-8 min walk from CGCS venue)
RSVP To Confirm Your Seat
This is an intimate, invite-only experience. If you were invited by Avela, please confirm your attendance here.
If our invitation was forwarded to you, please fill out the form to request an invitation and we’ll get back to you shortly.
Proudly Supporting CGCS Members
AVELA + BOSTON
Powering Great Starts Boston
Avela is proud to partner with Boston Public Schools and the City of Boston to power Great Starts Boston, the city’s initiative to help families find and access education across the city. From early childhood through high school and into summer learning, Avela helps Boston families explore schools, apply and get matched through one connected, family-friendly experience in the language they speak at home.
Hear Mayor Michelle Wu share how Great Starts is making early learning more accessible across Boston.
“Just visit GreatStarts.Boston, filter by what your family needs, and you'll see a map of everything available. And while you're there, you can also find extracurricular activities so every kid in boxes can make friends and be active in their community.”
- Michelle Wu, Mayor
Thursday, October 22 | 8:30-10:30PM ET
Karaoke Night, Sponsored by Avela
After the Excellence in Urban Education Awards, come sing with us! Avela is proud to sponsor this CGCS tradition, and we’d love to see you there, whether you’re grabbing the mic or cheering from the crowd.
It’s right in the conference hotel (Arlington + Clarendon + Berkley rooms), so stop by for a song, stay for the night, and get to know colleagues from districts across the country.
Karaoke Night is open to all conference attendees. Planing to stop by? Let us know in the form.
Avela works hand-in-hand with CGCS member districts to modernize enrollment systems, empower families with clear choices, and drive operational excellence. Our tools and partnerships support districts in delivering transparent, equitable, and data-informed admissions experiences.
Let’s Meet
Meet with us at the Council of the Great City Schools’ Fall Conference to explore how data-driven solutions can streamline enrollment and boost family engagement.
Greg Bybee
Co-Founder & CEO
Sonali Soi
Client Services Lead
Jennifer Hurst
Partnerships Manager
Carla Pugliese
Program Manager
Cathy Huang
Product Lead
Avela’s Enrollment Suite
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Avela Explore
School navigator with rich profiles, robust search, and bookmarks to empower families to find schools for their children.
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Avela Apply
Application system with parent portal for streamlined applications and admin portal for workflow management.
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Avela Match
Student assignment and admission lottery service leveraging Nobel Prize algorithms for accuracy and equity.
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Avela Enroll
Online registration, transfers, and enrollment platform with document collection and enrollment workflows.