ACT/SAT Preparation Course
The organization offers free or low-cost classes and tutoring that prepares high school students for standardized tests. Currently, the ACT and SAT exams are the focus of the test prep curriculum. The classes are offered in three semesters: spring, summer, and fall. The summer course runs for 12 weeks, 3 days per week during which time the students will complete and review 4 ACT exams and 4 SAT exams. The fall and spring sessions run for 12 weeks, 1 day a week during which time the students will complete and review 2 ACT exams and 2 SAT exams.
The classes are taught by volunteers from the community, all of whom receive training on various test-taking techniques before teaching a class. The objectives of the course are to increase both
a) the skills necessary to do well in the subject areas that the exams cover and b) the students’ familiarity with the exams. Though all students are welcome, recruiting emphasis will be placed on lower-income, higher-risk students that traditionally score poorly on standardized tests. One hundred and fifty (150) students are expected to participate each semester. Fliers are created and distributed to local high schools and churches for the ACT/SAT test prep course.
Math and English Essentials Courses
Math and English Essentials are classes that focus on fundamentals. The objective of these courses is to teach and review math and English concepts that are the foundation for building stronger confidence and capabilities in these academic areas. The Math Essentials course accomplishes this goal by covering concepts that range from basic arithmetic to algebra and geometry. The English Essentials course covers concepts such as grammar and essay writing. These classes run for 12 weeks, 3 days a week in the summer and on Saturdays only during the spring and fall semesters. The classes are taught by volunteers from the community who have demonstrated a mastery of basic math and/or English skills. One hundred and twenty (120) students are expected to participate in these classes each semester.
Free ‘Tuesday Night Tutoring’ Sessions
The organization offers free tutoring sessions to all interested students on Tuesday evenings during the regular school year. Subject areas that are tutored are dependent upon the needs of the students and the availability of volunteer tutors who have knowledge in those areas. Common subjects that students request help on include math, physics, and chemistry. The number of students usually varies between 5 to 30 per session. Students do not have to be registered in the Aces Program to take advantage of the free tutoring, all are welcome. The organization often purchases food for the volunteers and students as an extra incentive to attend the evening tutoring sessions.
College Bound
Program Overview
College Bound, launched in 2007 in Detroit, Michigan, is a jewel in Kennedy'sHope programming and the company’s fastest-growing program. Through a community-based network of partners, alumni, volunteers, and sponsors, College Bound works with underserved African American high school students to educate and inspire them to achieve a college education; pursue a professional career in business, science, technology, engineering, and math; and give back to their communities as leaders capable of effecting change.
Beginning in the summer of 2019, Kennedy’s Hope will bring 150-200 rising sophomores and juniors from underserved high schools to a local college campus for a four-day, three-night summer residency that will present the students with:
• Featured speakers who build self-confidence in the students' perceptions of their identity as African Americans.
• Small-group sessions with 40 African American business and community leaders who share their personal stories of professional and personal success with the students.
• Detailed college application sessions presented by college admission officers from a variety of schools.
• Competitions that result in the awarding of $2,500 in scholarships.
• "Call to Action" sessions where students identify pressing issues facing their community and develop plans to affect change. The winning presentation will be awarded a cash scholarship from Rainbow Human Services.
• Career workshops presented by industry leaders in business, science, technology, engineering, and math.
• Instructions on professional networking skills with business cards distributed to all students.
• A college and career fair with 25-50 booths featuring colleges, universities, and corporations.
Following the symposium, to ensure that the students continue to receive the support and education they need to pursue their college and career aspirations, the symposium alumni will be ushered into a year-long program of support called Living the Dream.
With the assistance of guest speakers, volunteers, and community partners, Kennedy's Hope will guide the symposium alumni to form clubs and participate in ongoing events in the
Kennedy’s Hope
Fund-Raising Organization to Build Schools
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