Fresh Start Academy
(Formerly Early Childhood Family Education Program)
The Fresh Start Academy, a preschool and elementary program, provides a structured environment which is safe, nurturing, and conducive to learning the basic skills needed to achieve in elementary school. The annual cost of the program is $658,000.
Expected Outcome:
Children will enter kindergarten or first grade developmentally prepared, i.e. with the social, physical, cognitive, and emotional skills needed to compete in the public school system. Parents will become more involved in their child's education by becoming their child=s advocate.
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Antoine attended Fresh Start since he turned three years old. After working with Fresh Start staff, he no longer required Ritalin to control his behavior and he scored in the top category on the Developmental Screening Test. When his foster mother developed a very high-risk pregnancy, she was no longer allowed to care for him. Unfortunately, Antoine was transferred to a different foster home in another part of the city. His new foster parent chose not to continue sending him to Fresh Start and enrolled him in a new school in the middle of the kindergarten year. Antoine was unable to deal with both having been separated from a foster mother he loved and, also, moving into a new home and a new school. In response to these problems, the new school determined he had "special needs" and they put him back on Ritalin. Yet, despite the apparent behavior problems, Antoine's academic performance remained high. This year, his original foster mother started proceedings to adopt Antoine. She has already re-enrolled him in Fresh Start as a second grader.
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1999 Highlights:
- Fresh Start students who moved from pre-school into kindergarten scored in the 90th percentile on the Kindergarten Entry test.
- Many students from Fresh Start pre-school were able to read when they entered kindergarten.
Demographic Data for 1999:
- Pre-school (3 - 5 years old): 28 students
- Elementary (High 5 through Grade 3): 80 students
- 55% Family Income below $18,000.
- 45% Family Income between $18,000 and $19,500.
- Volunteers: All parents volunteer at least 3hrs/month.
Challenges Faced in 1999:
- The school found it difficult to maintain a full complement of staff.
- Too many children do not enter the school early enough and, thus, do not benefit fully from and require more of the school's resources.
Goals for 2000:
- To expand, over the long term, the school up to grade six.
- To develop a separate reading component in the curriculum to accommodate the school's unusually wide range of student reading levels.
- To develop a Saturday reading program that will help increase child literacy.
- To re-establish the school playground.
If you are interested in this program, please call (612) 377-5965.
Street Academy
The Street Academy provides an alternative junior and senior high school program for youth between the ages of 12 and 22 who have dropped out or have been unable to cope in a traditional school setting. In addition to a structured, nurturing, and academic setting, the Street Academy offers support groups, counseling, service learning, and cultural activities. The staff offers support and assistance to move students beyond high school and into college or other post high school education. The school is a member of the Federation of Alternative Schools and accredited by North Central Association of Colleges and High Schools. The annual cost of the program is $822,000.
Expected Outcome:
Students will progress sufficiently to move through the grades, graduate from high school, and enroll in post-secondary education.
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Since D came to us during junior high school, she has faced numerous unforeseen crises and tragedies with our help and support. While in school, she has worked in a full time job to support herself since age 15. She will graduate this Spring and has applied to several Universities and is currently applying for scholarships.
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1999 Highlights:
- Increased our focus on preparing Basic Skills.
- Created Service Learning, a volunteer program.
- Acquired a new school building and expanded enrollment by 50%.
Demographic Data for 1999:
- Total of students served: 120
- Ages 12-15: 40%
- Ages 16-22: 60%
- Race African American: 95%
- Race Other: 5%
- Low Income = 80%
Challenges Faced in 1999:
- Lack of a room large enough for school assembly or any sort of physical education.
- Securing a qualified Science/Math and Foreign Language instructor(s).
- Most students referred to the school have not passed the Basic Skills test and many have made multiple attempts prior to enrollment.
Goals for 2000:
- To increase the percentage of our students who pass the Basic Skills Test.
- To place 85% of our students in college or technical school within 6 months of the time they graduate.
- To modernize the school's phone and intercom system.
- To increase attendance.
If you are interested in this program, please call (612) 874-9667.
