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Project RISE was founded during the summer of 1993
as an experimental pilot program on the Thayer Academy campus
in Braintree, MA. The Program focused on providing academic
remediation in Mathematics, Language Arts, Multicultural history
and Science to 18 sixth through eight grade academically high
risk African American males in the Boston Public Schools.
The goal of the program was to motivate these students to
believe they could succeed. In the effort to accomplish this
goal, students were assigned to small classes and were given
individualized and remedial instruction over a seven week
period. In addition, students participated in cultural awareness
classes to encourage them to appreciate their unique heritage.
These classes, coupled with the concentration on academics,
helped to raise the students self esteem. As a result, these
students reentered their perspective schools in the fall of
1993 with improved attitudes about their culture and intellectual
ability. This change in attitude positively impacted their
academic performance.
We are a 501c(3), non-profit organization and our tax exempt#
is 04.3194684. We serve the Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan,
Jamaica Plain, Hyde Park, Roslindale, South Boston and South
End areas of Boston. The program focuses on low income, urban,
African American and Hispanic/Latino males and females between
the ages of 8-17. The program also provides minority education,
family services, self-esteem, self empowerment, health care
and sex education, employment skills in computer repair and
operation for teens, conflict resolution and violence prevention,
and youth leadership.
Many of the students that attend the summer programs, grades
3-10, excelled remarkably by producing academic results in
math and English that were better than what was to be expected
for their grade levels. Additionally, we had 92 students total
enrolled between the two sites during the summer programs.
These record accomplishments have attracted more children
in need of academic remediation to the program. Moreover,
the program has touched more children with the experience
of what respect, integrity, and success through education
can do.
OUR GOAL FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS
Our goal over the next two years is to brighten the future
of more youth by arming them with the basic academic skills
and mind set necessary to conquer barriers in life. A goal
of the program is to open two additional sites: one at Mother Caroline Academy in Dorchester, MA and the other at Font Bonne
Academy in Milton, MA. This expansion potentially could double
the number of kids that will benefit from the academic and
cultural enrichment programs that have established over the
past 15 challenging years.
FACTS AND STATISTICS
GROWTH
- The program was started in 1993 with 17 under-acknowledged
African American & Latino males, 9 (53%) of whom were
referred by their juvenile probation officers from the City
of Boston.
- Females were welcomed into the program in 1994, and the
program has been co-ed ever since with the male to female
ratio typically at 55% to 45%.
- In 2001, 22 students enrolled in the pilot program for
3rd, 4th and 5th graders, which was at Derby Academy in
Hingham, MA.
- Initial enrollment of 17 males in 1993 has grown to include
over 90 co-eds in 2002.
- 2002 marked the inaugural year for the high school program,
which had 22 students enrolled. Academic studies included
English; general science, math and molecular biology. Students
also engaged in three 1-week seminars covering college planning/career
preparation, financial management/investment and the stock
market.
CHARACTER
- The earlier we can get involved with students, the more
effective the program can be and the greater the chance
for students' success. More than 60% return each summer,
and more than 35% have been in the program 3 years or more.
- Eighty percent (80 %) of students enrolled in the program
reside in single female-headed households.
- Students presented a diverse pool of academic environments.
- Boston Public: Boston. Latin; Dorchester HS, Hyde
Park HS, Jeremiah Burke HS, Latin Academy, Snowden International
HS, Thompson MS
- MBTCO: Belmont, Cohasset, Concord,
Lexington, Natick, and Randolph
Parochial: Boston College HS, Catholic
Memorial, and Xaverian
Private: Dedham Country Day, Rivers,
Roxbury Latin; Thayer Academy, The Winsor School, and
Worcester Academy
- Eighty five percent (85%) of student in the program will
be first generation college attendee.
- Since 1996, many graduates of the program have returned
to work as site directors, site coordinators, teachers,
counselors, and peer tutors.
IMPACT
- Since its inception in 1993, 146 students have attended
4-year colleges. Among them are: Bentley College, Boston
College, Boston University, Central Connecticut State University,
Colgate University, Fisk University, George University;
Grambling State University, Hampton University, Harvard
University, Holy Cross, Howard University, Loyola Maryland,
Manhattan College, Morgan State University, Mount Holyoke,
Northeastern University, Radford University, Scripps College,
Siena College, Simmons College, Spelman College, Springfield
College, Tufts University, UMASS-Amherst, UMASS-Boston,
UNC-Greensboro, University of Maryland, University of New
Hampshire Wentworth Institute and Wheelock College.
- Eleven (11) students have graduated college; 55% are
pursuing postgraduate degrees - 4 are in master level programs
& 2 are attending law school.
- High school students who participate in the academic year
Saturday morning prep program have increased their overall
standardized test scores by as much as 200 points.
- More than 60% of students who attend the summer program
return to their respective schools and, earn honor roll
level grades. Many have advanced by nearly a year ahead
of their classmates, particularly in math and English.
- Four of the students who enrolled in the pilot program
for 4th and 5th graders have been accepted to (and will)
attend Derby Academy.
- Ninety Percent (90%) of the students who attend the program
graduate high school.
- In 1998, the program graduated its largest group -- 7
- from high school. The program will graduate 9 students
in the spring of 2003, and all are on course to enroll in
4-year colleges.
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