Students

Students who demonstrate a desire to be successful and to continue their education beyond high school are accepted into the S/PA program.   Priority is given to students from families with low incomes or those relying on public assistance.

Prospective students must complete an application which is available through S/PA affiliated high schools.  Counselors at our partner schools assist in evaluating a student’s eligibility.  Applications are due February 12, 2012 for the 2012-2013 school year.

Our students and their families:

• Represent motivated, but financially “at-risk” youth
• 85% come from single parent homes
• Parent incomes range from $9,000 to $40,000/yr
• 75% are African American, 20% are Hispanic, 5% Asian
• Not necessarily the top academically performing students
• Accepted without regard to race, religion or ethnicity

Mentors

Each student is paired with an adult who will serve as his/her mentor.  In most cases, this individual is the same adult who is providing the financial support.

This dedicated person is termed a “Partner”.  Students and their partners establish a relationship which extends throughout the four years of the student’s high school career.  “Sponsors” contribute financial support without any mentoring component.  Individuals and Corporations/Foundations contributing directly to students’ tuitions are in this category.  Those students paired with a Sponsor are also paired with a “Mentor“, who provides the personal contact and support.

Results

The combination of a private school education and the influence of a mentoring partner increases graduation rate and college entrance rates.

• S/PA boasts a 98% high school graduation rate as compared to a 45-60% graduation rate for students at non-private schools in the same localities.
• 98% of S/PA graduates continue their education at an institute of higher learning
• S/PA graduates are the recipients of hundreds of thousands of dollars of scholarships to colleges, universities and vocational programs.

Student Obligation/Responsibility

• Maintaining his/her academics and positive student life by following his/her schools’ guidelines.
• Maintaining communication with his/her partner and/or mentor
• Participation in Student/Partner Alliance events

 Alumni

• More than 1500 students have graduated from private high schools through the tuition assistance and mentoring provided by Student/Partner Alliance since 1993.
• A new (2009) Junior Mentoring Program utilizes the guidance and mentoring capabilities of S/PA graduates to participate in the roll of Mentor to S/PA students.