The Partners Program

Summer academy (sa) programpartners summer academy implemented its 38th consecutive summer Program at college prep from june 11 to july 9, 2023. Approximately 62 rising seventh (25 scholars), eighth (26 scholars), and ninth graders (11 scholars) from 14 different oakland middle schools joined us for full-day, in-person instruction. Summer academy 2023 featured a faculty of 13 teachers and 27 mentors (6 college-age teaching interns and 21 high school-age assistant teachers). The 27 summer mentors served as role-models to The middle schoolers and took leadership positions throughout The summer. Partners emphasized The socio-emotional life pathways workshop to support mental health and mindfulness for our scholars, 100% of whom identify as students of color, and 80% of whom qualify for free or reduced-cost meals. Each class (including coding, dance, digital media, english, intro to engineering, math, pathways, and visual arts) was taught by a professional teacher and at least two mentors, preserving our 4:1 scholar to instructor ratio. Our summer academy 2023 theme was scholar voices. At Partners, our scholars collaborate with their mentors and teachers every day to lift up their voices, empower themselves and build curiosity and grit from within. Summer academy is a safe, nurturing academic space where scholars use their unique voices to tell their stories, build-up their confidence and grit and feel empowered to make their dreams come true.

Partners high school advising (hsa) Program provided all 8th grade scholars in 2022-2023 with The following: high school options counseling and advising for all ousd traditional community high schools; ousd charter high schools; independent, non-religion-affiliated private schools; and religion-affiliated high schools. In addition, for The private school application requirements, Partners provided student section and family section support and guidance, financial aid forms workshops, standardized test prep for hspt and interview simulations. In spring 2023, Partners 8th grade scholars matriculated to these area high schools: oakland charter academy; oakland high school; oakland tech high school; skyline high school; st. mary's college high school; alameda community learning center; kipp king hs in san leandro; bishop o'dowd; salesian college prep; holy names hs; college prep; and head royce.

Academic year mentoring (aym) programour 2022-23 academic year mentoring (aym) afterschool Program ran from september 2022 through may 2023. Middle school partnerships included: claremont ms, downtown charter academy, edna brewer ms, kipp bridge charter, montera ms, st. paul's, and st. leo's. Aym mentors -- 83 mentors in total -- and scholars continued to use resources from freckle education, an online software platform that "differentiates instruction across math, language arts, social studies, and science." Mentors built profound relationships and supported their Partners scholars with customized learning plans, as well as with their positive role-modeling and uplifting support. The consistent pairing of The same mentor and mentee provided high quality and individualized academic enrichment.