Steppingstone Fall Newsletter 2014

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Bringing College Success to East Boston 1

(story on inside)

was a brand new program, with the goal of setting Boston Public School students on the path to college graduation. Three years later, both applications to the program and MCAS scores are on the rise, and teachers report that Scholars are making great strides in their classrooms.

“I’ve noticed Scholars’ confidence improve; their participation in class improve; and I’ve seen a big improvement on test scores,” says Kristin Shadford, who teaches fifth grade math at the Gardner Pilot Academy, one of the College Success Academy’s three partner schools in Allston-Brighton. “Scholars become leaders in the classroom and they are proud to be in Steppingstone.”

With observations and data showing such positive early results, the College Success Academy is eager to extend its reach by expanding to serve a new community next year: East Boston.

“The chance to work with more students is very exciting,” says Sarah Conrad, Steppingstone’s Chief Program Officer.

“Families in East Boston are deeply committed to education and are eager for academic programs to support their children. The College Success Academy’s four years of academic preparation—followed by comprehensive support and college readiness services through high school and into college— proves a perfect match and will have a significant impact on the college graduation rates of East Boston students.”

The community’s high population of English language learners is another reason Steppingstone has chosen East Boston as the site for expansion. “We’ve seen that initial academic opportunities can be limited for students with lower English proficiency who do not speak English at home,” explains Conrad.

“The additional school time they get through Steppingstone, combined with their own work ethic and commitment, leads to their academic success growing by leaps and bounds.”

As in Allston-Brighton, the College Success Academy’s East Boston efforts will be accomplished through close partnership with a local public school. Principal Jordan Weymer of the Donald McKay K-8 School is thrilled to welcome Steppingstone to the neighborhood.

“The families, students, and teachers of the McKay School have been clamoring for a partner like Steppingstone,” he says.

“This partnership will fill a void that has existed for far too long: the lack of rigorous, out-of-school time activities designed to increase the academic performance of all students.”

With admission season right around the corner, the College Success Academy will begin outreach to families at the McKay School this fall. We look forward to welcoming the first group of East Boston Scholars to College Success Academy classes next summer.

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In 2011, Steppingstone’s College Success Academy

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“ I know firsthand the incredible value of rigorous after-school academic activities and how they are so beneficial to all students.

A partnership with Steppingstone is a logical next step in the transformation of the McKay School from a low-performing, ‘high-support’ school to one of the best schools in the city of Boston.” ~ Jordan Weymer, Principal of the Donald McKay K-8 School The Results: CSA Scholars earn higher grades and test scores, have better school attendance, and are more confident in their ability to succeed in school and college.

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Regular family contact enables staff, faculty, and family members to work together to support each Scholar.

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Thank you for an incredible summer!

July and August are crucial months for Scholars, who

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work hard to keep their

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academic skills sharp. Your dedication, your passion, and your support made all of these moments possible.

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CHAMPION A SCHOLAR

“ Being a part of Steppingstone’s

Champion A Scholar program shows me the true impact of my donations.

By seeing the program from one Scholar’s experience, it’s so clear how my support of Steppingstone helps to change lives.” ~ Coleen Dinneen, Steppingstone Ambassador and Champion A Scholar donor To learn more about becoming part of the Champion A Scholar society, please contact Marge Cregg, Chief Advancement Officer, at 617-423-6300 x266 or mcregg@tsf.org.

ROOT CAUSE GIVES STEPPINGSTONE ITS HIGHEST RATING Steppingstone is proud to have been awarded Root Cause’s top “High Performer” rating in recognition of The Steppingstone Academy’s college access services. Root Cause conducts comprehensive and independent analysis for nonprofits committed to improving their programs. Out of the national study, Steppingstone was one of only four organizations to achieve a “High Performer” status.

Root Cause commended Steppingstone for being “one of the most datadriven organizations in the cohort,” and for beginning our work with Scholars at such a young age.

COMMENCEMENT On Saturday, August 16, families, friends, faculty, and staff celebrated the accomplishments of 123 Scholars as they commenced from The Steppingstone Academy. Steppingstone will continue to support each of these Scholars to ensure they thrive academically and socially and ultimately graduate from four-year colleges.

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SAVE THE DATE

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Follow the Steppingstone road to the 2014 Wizard of Oz Gala! Join us on Thursday, November 13, at the Fairmont Copley Hotel to celebrate another great year. Email Kate Wood at kwood@tsf.org to learn more.

We’re moving!

As of January 2015 you can find the Steppingstone office at its new location: One Appleton Street, Boston, MA 02116.

We’ll be located on the third and fourth floors.

MARYNEE PONTES ‘05: SURVIVING THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS WITH STEPPINGSTONE’S SUPPORT As high school seniors settle into the academic year, one thing weighs heavily on their minds: college. Marynee Pontes, a junior at Tufts University, remembers the feeling well.

Although she’d been preparing for college for seven years— since the first day she set foot in a Steppingstone classroom— the application process was complex and daunting.

Determined to attend a competitive school, Marynee knew the Advisors at Steppingstone could help her build the strongest application possible. “I didn’t have access to outside tutors or college counselors like many of my peers,” Marynee explains. “But I always knew Steppingstone was there for me, ready to provide the support I needed.”

Throughout her senior year, Marynee took advantage of almost every resource Steppingstone offered. A College Boot Camp workshop helped her perfect her résumé.

“Suggestions were squeezed onto the front and all over the back,” she remembers. The discounted SAT classes offered

by Steppingstone helped her increase her test score by 200 points. And when Marynee and her mother sat down to apply for financial aid, they had the support of Steppingstone partner uAspire. “We had someone there with us, showing us how to fill out forms and answering all our questions—it was invaluable,” she says.

Over winter break, with deadlines rapidly approaching, Marynee returned to Steppingstone yet again, this time for help with her college essay. “I was so stressed out, so I called Mr. Waldman, the Director of College Services, and he said I could come in the next day.” After working together for almost two hours, Marynee left the Steppingstone office feeling confident. “I felt so much better after our meeting. I even had him read over my essay a few more times for last minute revisions.”

Looking back, Marynee says there’s one thing she truly couldn’t have done without: Steppingstone’s unwavering belief in her ability to succeed. “When I told my Steppingstone Advisor, Ms. Milla, that I wanted to apply to Tufts University, we immediately started thinking about how to show I was the best candidate for the school.

“ Steppingstone didn’t doubt for a second that

I could thrive at the country’s most competitive colleges. They wanted to see me succeed and encouraged me to push myself.”

Hometown: Roxbury | Education: Dana Hall School ’12, Tufts University ’16 Extracurricular Activities: Marynee is on the Model UN team, she mentors children through Strong Women, Strong Girls, and she’s a member of the Cape Verde Student Association at Tufts. A firstgeneration American, both of her parents emigrated from Cape Verde.

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Now halfway through her college career at Tufts, Marynee is spending junior year studying abroad in Accra, Ghana, and Madrid, Spain. As a double major in international relations and economics with a minor in Africana studies, Marynee looks forward to living in one of the fastest growing economies, perfecting her Spanish, and exploring the world.

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Photos by Jo Sittenfeld

Prepared and on track for college graduation, 1,600 Scholars started this school year on solid footing. And while they attend more than 50 schools in the greater Boston area and colleges all across the country, Steppingstone will continue to provide each and every one of them with the preparation and support they need to achieve their goal of earning a college diploma.

FALL 2014

Steppingstonenews

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