Moving forward with our School Success program
Lawrence has always been an immigrant city, and despite the great strides made to revitalize its economy, the city still ranks as the poorest in Massachusetts, and 23rd poorest in the United States (among cities with a population over 50,000). Adelante created its core program, School Success, to address the primary barriers to high academic achievement: the economic, educational, and experiential poverty of Lawrence youth in grades 7 through 12.
The program includes four key components.
• High School preparation courses for 7th and 8th grade students;
• Scholarship and community service programs for high school youth;
• SAT prep courses for juniors and seniors;
• Literacy services for the YMCA’s after-school program.
7th & 8th Grade Prep Program
This program focuses on entrance exam preparation and academic enrichment for students seeking to attend area private tuition-based high schools, and offers scholarships to a number of participants. To date, 90% of our participants have succeeded in the private admissions test. The Prep programs operate from September through June.
High School Scholarship Program
For those who complete the Prep Program, acceptance to private high schools may be accompanied by a maximum $2000 annual Adelante scholarship. These scholarships are matched by participating partner high schools, which currently include Central Catholic High School, Presentation of Mary Academy, and Notre Dame High School. Scholarships are renewed annually, contingent upon academic performance, conduct, and successful completion of our community service requirement.
Giving Back
As a scholarship requirement, Adelante Scholars perform community service hours at the Lawrence YMCA and at other agencies and organizations throughout Greater Lawrence.