The overall intent of Powerful Schools’ Inspiring Minds & Creating Opportunities work is to bridge the academic opportunity gap and give every child, regardless of race or income, the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential.
At the core of our strategy are partnerships with high needs pre-schools and elementary schools to provide early academic, enrichment and targeted support to children and their families who are at-risk for failure in school. We empower children and families with effective early academic support and high quality programs that help young children to develop socially and emotionally. The results of our early investment in a child’s life are astonishing. The academic and social gains made in the early school years, often persist beyond pre-school and elementary school, well into a child’s high school and post-secondary years. However, when children leave elementary school below grade level, their likelihood of future academic success, particularly graduation from high school, significantly decreases.
Therefore, our approach focuses on:
1.) Kindergarten readiness
2.) Academic intervention for struggling students
3.) Creating opportunities that develop student character and support strong in-class instruction
4.) Parent Engagement
Our theory of change is that when children are prepared for kindergarten, motivated & engaged in school, receive strong in-class instruction, and their parents/guardians are engaged in their education success, their likelihood of future success in school is significantly increased.
We believe:
-All students can succeed in school with the right combination of quality programs, focused resources and community support.
-Effective teaching, engaged parents and supportive communities are critical to academic success.
-Literacy skills provide the foundation for success in all disciplines.
-Integrated arts programs promote critical thinking skills and make curriculum accessible to students across different cultures and learning styles.
-Powerful Schools programs give students the skills and confidence to express themselves effectively within a supportive and enthusiastic community.
