My school consists of a middle school and a high school, utilizing a 6-8, 9-12 grade level configuration. The student body is culturally diverse with a population that is 69% Black, 27% Hispanic and 4% Other. 78% of students receive free or reduced-price lunch.
The mission of our school is to ensure each scholar reaches individual academic and personal success through a nurturing scholar-centered approach.
Our school is a comprehensive, four-year public charter high school, enrolling 360 students in grades 9-12, at capacity. The high school opened in September, 2014 and will graduate its first senior class in June 2018. Currently, the student body is approximately 270 students, in addition to approximately 55 faculty and staff members. Students participate in 5 interscholastic sports, expanding to 10 next year. Additionally, we offer 14 clubs in which students can participate, including Harvesters for Change, Gay-Straight Alliance, Girls to Women, Robotics, Student Government, and Student Newspaper.
My Project
This year, the counseling department has experienced quite a bit of difficulty being able to guide scholars in areas of academics and post-secondary planning due to limited resources. Our school has two Chromebook carts that are designated for teachers. While the counseling department does have access to the carts, teachers get first priority for use in the classroom. In addition, our school is limited on space/rooms; laptops are convenient because they allow us to work in any area that may be available at a given moment i.e. cafeteria, hallway, or meeting rooms.
Many of our students don’t have computers at home, putting them at a HUGE disadvantage.
Having access to this resource would allow the counseling department to assist more students with postsecondary planning!
If we have full-time access to our own cart we can:
1) Provide more comprehensive academic counseling. For example, look up grades and assignments online and sit side by side with a student to troubleshoot deficient areas
2) Assist students with creating accounts on important websites such as College Board and Naviance
3) Conduct college searches and match
4) Assist with college essay writing and resume building
Submission of college applications and financial aid documents
5) Register for the SAT
6) Facilitate career readiness workshops including interest inventories and assessments
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Ferrara and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.