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Southwest Washington Child Care Consortium (SWCCC) and Northwest Service Academy, both programs of Educational Service District 112, in partnership with Vancouver Public Schools, will receive $147,900 over three years to institute an after-school college readiness program for sixth graders at McLoughlin Middle School.
The College Spark Washington grant will fund the College Compass Club (CCC) and will provide 40 income-eligible students access to tutoring services, service-learning projects, peer mentors, a variety of enrichment activities and field trips to local businesses and higher education campuses. Vancouver Public Schools and McLoughlin Middle School are excited about this opportunity to provide age appropriate, fun, and culturally relevant activities to students at the Title I school all designed to increase the academic, personal and social skills needed to attain college success.
SWCCC currently runs 26 successful childcare centers in Southwest Washington, including several based on community partnerships between schools and other organizations. The CCC will extend SWCCC’s current school-aged after-school elementary programs to a middle school setting.
Another grant partner, Northwest Service Academy, will provide AmeriCorps service members to work with students through the club, providing support through tutoring, mentoring, planning field trips, engaging guest speakers, and coordinating volunteers, among other activities.
McLoughlin Middle School currently uses the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) curriculum, which aims to prepare students in grades four through 12 who might not already be college-bound for four-year college eligibility. It has a proven track record in bringing out the best in students, and in closing the achievement gap.
The grant will extend the foundations of the AVID curriculum into an afterschool program with a goal of preparing kids who might need an extra push to enroll in honors and advanced placement classes by the time they reach high school.
“Extending the successful SWCCC model to the middle school population and incorporating the environmental experience of AmeriCorps makes sense,” said Tim Foley, Executive Director of Northwest Service Academy for ESD 112. “The focus of AmeriCorps is to fulfill unmet community needs and we know there are not enough programs to serve middle school kids. Why not take something that’s already working and extend it to this deserving population?”
“This is a great opportunity for AmeriCorps members,” continued Foley. “They will be able to work with students and share their knowledge about service-learning and the environment at the same time.”
The grant is funded through College Spark, an organization that funds programs that help low-income students become college-ready and earn their degrees.
“We are pleased about the prospect of using AmeriCorps members to support middle school students in gaining college readiness skills. This is a new focus area for the members and will provide a much needed service to this student population.” from Jada Rupley, Associate Superintendent, ESD 112.
“SWCCC is thrilled to partner with Northwest Service Academy and Vancouver Public Schools to provide a program that supports teens academically and offers families a positive after-school alternative for middle school students.” from Kristi Baker, Director of SWCCC.
The project begins in August 2010 and will continue through July 2013.
~Jodi Thomas, ESD 112 Public Information Coordinator
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