SPA is a dropout prevention program located in the heart of downtown Wilmington, Delaware. Our program focuses on providing accelerated, personalized learning for students who would otherwise be at high risk of dropping out of high school. 95% of our students have one or more risk factors such as trauma, being a teen parent, homelessness, a mental health diagnosis, or low income. Our demographics include a population that is 64% black, 33% white, and 3% Native American, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Approximately 80% of our population is low income. 21% of our population meets the classification for homelessness or unaccompanied youth. 17% of our students have special needs. For many of our students, SPA is their last chance to earn a high school diploma. We strive to meet them at the level of their needs and help teach them the skills they need to cope when challenges arise, and to persevere when things seem impossible. Most importantly, we give our students hope. Over the last 15 plus years, we've helped hundreds of students achieve their goal of graduating high school and set them on the road to their Life After SPA.
My Project
Even beyond a Covid vaccination, finding a way to extend classrooms outdoors has always been our goal. As a non-traditional drop out prevention program, we seek to create a different environment. Remote learning has hit us hard in attendance and our students' anxiety is very high.
Many of our students who need in person instruction will feel safer doing so in an outdoor classroom, increasing their engagement, thus their likelihood of graduating on time.
Using outdoor chairs and an umbrella in our gated garden area outside of downstairs classrooms, our students will have a safe, comfortable place outdoors to learn. Please support our efforts! Thank you!
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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. Malmstrom and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
