STRIVE
A Middle to High School Mentoring Program
Background
What is STRIVE?
This program is based on the work done by ARHS students who attended the Minority Student Achievement Network (MSAN) conference in October of 2000. The primary purpose of the project is to address the goal of the MSAN to “ensure high academic achievement of minority students” by support students in their transition to the high school. It is our belief that developing positive peer relationships among students is a key factor in academic achievement. A sense of community and common experience can improve the school experience and achievement for students. Many successful students feel isolated and would benefit from connection with other students who value school success. Other students are not as successful as they could be. These students could benefit from new relationships with successful peers.
How does STRIVE work?
STRIVE prepares seventh & eighth graders for the high achievement atmosphere of high school by pairing the middle school student with a high school aged mentor for academic and social support. The matching process that will begin this spring will match up 8th graders with 11th graders and 7th graders with 10th graders. These matches will stay in place until the Mentors transition out of High School. Students may be paired up according to gender, ethnic background, general hobbies and interests. Mentors and mentees meet several times in their first year in an after-school club setting at the Middle School.
What does being a STRIVE Mentor involve?
STRIVE mentors must be Juniors or Seniors when they are first matched with a 7th grader or 8th grader respectively. Eligible students must demonstrate excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership and commitment to school and community. Each STRIVE applicant must be nominated by ONE adult and complete a written application. Once accepted, STRIVE Mentors are required to attend a training after-school. Mentors are expected to participate in every STRIVE sponsored activity and they are strongly encourage to informally check in with their mentees periodically throughout the school year.
What does being a STRIVE Mentee involve?
We are looking for 7th and 8th grade students of color who could take on a greater challenge in their school experience and benefit from a social support network at the high school. STRIVE mentees can be recommended for the program by their middle school teachers and counselors, however, the students must make an active choice to participate in the program. While this program is designed primarily to meet the needs of students of color, all students are welcome to participate if they so choose.
Interested? Please contact STRIVE Coordinators, (8th Grade) Nunia Mafi at 362-1525 or mafin@arps.org or (7th Grade) Sherry Balzano at 362-1793 or balzanos@arps.org for more information.