Grand Rapids Community Foundation believes that education after high school is essential to a student’s lifetime success.
We feel this is important because if a child fails, our community fails.
That is why we are launching a new and innovative program called Challenge Scholars.
What are the components of the program?
Challenge Scholars may best be described as The Promise Plus. Like the Kalamazoo Promise, students participating in the Challenge Scholars program will receive scholarships for college.
Challenge Scholars is unique in that it also provides students the support they need to be socially and academically prepared for college starting early. Challenge Scholars provides:
- Academic support including math and literacy coaches and teacher development (already underway this year at Harrison Park School, k-8)
- Health and human services in the school so kids are healthy and miss less school going to appointments (offered via the Kent Schools Services Network at Harrison Park School)
- Opportunities to extend learning after school and in the summer months
- Scholarship funding for college upon graduation from Union High School. This will begin with students in the class of 2020 and the classes that follow
What is the Challenge Scholars service area?
The program is focused on the Westside of Grand Rapids in Harrison Park School, Westwood Middle School and Union High School.
Why was this area selected?
Currently, we know that something isn’t working. Recent data tells us that less than 1% percent of students at Union High School are deemed college-ready based on their ACT scores. We believe this lack of achievement can primarily be attributed to a cycle of low academic attainment paired with the stresses of chronic poverty.
In the West Grand neighborhood we know that:
- The vast majority of students are not “kindergarten-ready” when they start school. This means teachers are constantly working to get students caught up.
- 97% of students in this area are economically disadvantaged.
- Unemployment is at 20%. And those parents who do work often have more than one job to make ends meet.
- Over 80% of adults have no more than a high school diploma or GED.
What is happening right now?
Through Challenge Scholars, students right now at Harrison Park are benefiting from the addition of math and literacy coaches and a college pathway coordinator. They will also have access to after school and summer-time activities to extend learning. The Community Foundation is providing grant dollars to support these activities. Support services are also being customized to meet the needs of students at Westwood Middle and Union High Schools. We expect these services to be extended in 2013.
Good for students, good for community
While Challenge Scholars is good for students and families, it’s also good for our community. We know that students with a college degree increase their earning potential by $1 million over their lifetime.
We recognize that four-year college may not be the right fit for every student. That is why Challenge Scholars can also use scholarship funding to receive high quality credentials available at community colleges such as EMT paramedic training, construction trades (such as electrician or HVAC technician), auto repair or culinary arts.
Program built on strong partnerships
Challenge Scholars represents a significant investment on behalf of the Community Foundation, but we are not doing this alone. We are confident this program will succeed because it is built on a strong partnership between the Community Foundation, Grand Rapids Public Schools, students and their families.
How can you get involved?
- Make Your Student a Challenge Scholar. Grand Rapids Public Schools has 1,000 school of choice seats available to students who live outside of the City of Grand Rapids. Click here to learn more and download a School of Choice application.
- Become a Mentor. To learn about mentoring opportunities, contact Ruth Bishop, Community Foundation program officer at 616.454.1751 x103.
- Donate Basic Need Items. Harrison Park School is currently accepting donations of new bedding and clothing, personal hygiene items, and bus passes. Items can be delivered to 1440 Davis Avenue NW to the attention of Katie Etheridge, KSSN community school coordinator.
- Share Your Talents. Host a workshop for students and families on a topic related to your professional expertise. To discuss an idea, contact Katie Etheridge, KSSN community school coordinator at 616.819.3156.
- Support the Community Foundation’s Challenge Scholars Fund. Donate online or contact Gina Bovee, development director at 616.454.1751 x113 to learn the benefits of Foundation giving and how gifts can be made.