Open School Inc

THE MISSION IS TO DEVELOP CONNECTION, CAPABILITY, AND CONFIDENCE IN DISCONNECTED YOUTH.

STEP UP PROGRAM:DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2021, THE STEP UP PROGRAM CONTINUED TO PROVIDE SCHOOL-YEAR TUTORING, MENTORING, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, ADVOCACY, AND SUMMER PROGRAM SERVICES FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED AT ROOSEVELT, FRANKLIN, AND LEODIS V. MCDANIEL HIGH SCHOOLS WHO ARE IDENTIFIED AS NEEDING ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL SUPPORT TO SUCCEED IN THEIR PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON INTENSIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH INCOMING 9TH GRADERS, WITH CONTINUED SUPPORT THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL. STEP UP ENGAGES STUDENTS IN THE SUMMER PRIOR TO 9TH GRADE AND FOCUSES ON FULL, TIMELY CREDIT ATTAINMENT AND ACTIVE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT IN SCHOOL TO KEEP STUDENTS ON TRACK TO GRADUATE. THIS PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY A COMBINATION OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS WITH PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE PORTLAND CHILDREN'S LEVY, PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS, AND INDIVIDUAL DONORS.DURING THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR, STEP UP EXPANDED ITS PROGRAM TO A FOUR-YEAR FOOTPRINT ON ALL THREE CAMPUSES SERVED, AND WORKED WITH 370 STUDENTS. TARGETED STUDENT OUTCOMES FOR STEP UP ARE 90% OF STUDENTS ON TRACK FOR ON-TIME GRADUATION AND A 90% GRADUATION RATE. THOUGH COVID PRESENTED CHALLENGES, THE PROGRAM IS FINDING WAYS TO KEEP STUDENTS ENGAGED IN SCHOOL AND WORKING TOWARD THEIR GOALS TO GRADUATE.

OPEN SCHOOL EAST:IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CENTENNIAL, GRESHAM-BARLOW, PARKROSE, PORTLAND PUBLIC, REYNOLDS, AND DAVID DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE OPEN SCHOOL EAST PROGRAM CONTINUED TO DEPLOY STRATEGIES DESIGNED TO ENGAGE AND ACCELERATE OFF-TRACK STUDENTS IN GRADES 9 THROUGH 12. USING EARLY-WARNING INDICATORS TO IDENTIFY YOUNG, MARGINALIZED STUDENTS AT RISK OF DROPPING OUT, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH CULTURALLY INCLUSIVE, RELATIONSHIP-BASED, EXTENDED-DAY AND -YEAR SCHOOL PROGRAMMING WHICH FOCUSES ON ENGAGEMENT AND SKILL-ACCELERATION TO PREPARE THEM FOR POST-SECONDARY SUCCESS. STRATEGIES INCLUDE ACTIVE RECRUITMENT OF STUDENTS, SUMMER SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, RESTORATIVE ACCOUNTABILITY, INTENSIVE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT, AND PREPARATION EMPHASIZING CULTURAL IDENTITY, ESSENTIAL SKILLS, SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND THE ARTS. THE PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED BY THE SIX PARTNER SCHOOL DISTRICTS AS WELL AS PRIVATE FOUNDATION AND INDIVIDUAL GIFTS.DURING THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR, OPEN SCHOOL EAST SERVED OVER 125 STUDENTS AND ALSO ENGAGED STUDENTS THROUGH A DISTANCE LEARNING MODEL FOR PART OF THE SCHOOL YEAR DUE TO COVID CHALLENGES. THE PROGRAMACHIEVED OUTCOMES OF 85% STUDENT ENGAGEMENT, 50% WORK COMPLETION, AND A 92% GRADUATION RATE.