Success Stories
AVID Success
Designed to increase the number of students who enroll in four-year colleges, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a national college-readiness system serving nearly 700 students in Lawrence Township. The Foundation has funded the program since 2000 with significant support from our partner, USA Funds. The AVID program successfully prepares high school students who are “in the middle” for post-secondary education. The program has a 98% high school graduation rate and a 90%-plus college acceptance rate. In 2011, AVID student, Emily Thomas graduated as one of Lawrence Township’s “Top 30” seniors – this is the 2nd consecutive year AVID has graduated a student in the “Top 30” of her class!
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Helping Students Achieve
The Foundation also funds the My Achievement Centers (MACs) at Lawrence Central and Lawrence North High Schools since 2005. Established to help students succeed by providing technology and tutoring services from caring adults in a quiet study environment during the school day, MACs averaged almost 200 visits per day during 2010-2011. A student who recently moved out of state wrote, “I miss Lawrence Central…I thought all schools had teachers who help and a MAC Center. I was wrong.” MACs are an integral part of Lawrence Township students’ success.
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WIN by Frank Levinson
Work In Now (WIN) is an after-school program at Lawrence Central High School that allows students to complete their homework in a safe and comfortable location, while having access to computers and tutoring from certified teachers. Upon the recommendation of Frank Levinson, Ph.D. (Lawrence Central, ’71), the Small Word Institute Fund, an advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation, awarded a $330,000 grant to the Lawrence Township School Foundation establishing an endowment to support the WIN program.
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Up & Running Program
“What an amazing program! I was so excited to share my love of running with 4th and 5th graders. Most of these kids had never participated in a program like this and the chance to train like a real runner was exciting. It took a lot of training for many of them, but the thrill on their faces when they crossed the finish line was worth the effort. Probably the most exciting part of the whole program was watching the kids become great friends. They encouraged each other to run harder, to stay with it, to keep going; and they never gave up.” – Lawrence Township Elementary school teacher describing her experience with the Foundation’s Up & Running Program
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Super Students, Serving Students
Harrison Hill Elementary School teacher, Wayne Major, encouraged a group of 6th grade minority boys to develop their reading skills at home and at school with a grant from the Foundation’s Creative Classroom Grant program. Mr. Major used grant money to obtain books at or above a 6th grade reading level that minority boys used in their home libraries. This group of 6th graders also shared their books with 1st graders, allowing them to practice their skills reading aloud and to become positive role models for their younger peers. The Lawrence Township School Foundation’s Creative Classroom Grant program rewards grants to teachers, parents and students who come up with creative and innovative ideas for their classrooms.
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