The Exam School Partnership Initiative Attn Andy Mccord

ESPI'S CITY SMART SCHOLARS 5TH THROUGH 8TH GRADE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED FOR STUDENTS FROM FAMILIES WHO CANNOT AFFORD PRIVATE TUTORING AND ARE FROM COMMUNITIES WHICH ARE UNDER-REPRESENTED IN NEW YORK CITY'S SELECTIVE HIGH SCHOOLS. THE 2023 PROGRAM MET IN UPPER MANHATTAN ON SATURDAYS DURING THE SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL. DURING SPRING STUDENTS WORKED FOR A FULL DAY, RECEIVING INSTRUCTION IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND MATH. ALSO PREPARATION FOR HUNTER TEST HELD IN APRIL 2023 RATHER THAN THE CUSTOMARY JANUARY. STUDENTS WHO COMPLETED THE PROGRAM BECAME ELIGIBLE FOR A FIVE-WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM THAT EMPHASIZED WRITING AND CRITICAL READING SKILLS AND MATH PROBLEM-SOLVING. INCOMING SUMMER STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE HIGH SCORES ON THEIR 5TH GRADE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND MATH TESTS WERE ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR A MULTI-WEEK PROGRAM IN THE FALL TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE HUNTER COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL ADMISSIONS TEST, GIVEN TO 6TH GRADERS IN JANUARY 2024. ENRICHMENT CONTINUED FOR 7th GRADE and in 8TH GRADE DURING THE SUMMER AND FALL TO ASSIST STUDENTS WITH PREPARATION FOR HIGH SCHOOL ADMISSION TESTS.IN 2023, APPROXIMATELY 80 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE ESPI PROGRAM.