A Baltimore City program called the Middle Grades Partnership could be creating the city?s next generation of business leaders ? at least, that?s what organizers hope.
The program, now in its second summer, was created through funding from a variety of local foundations. It is designed to provide academically promising middle school students with the educational tools they need to excel in Baltimore?s top high schools, enter college and then join the local work force.
“The major goal is to find talented kids and bring them together with fine schools, both public and independent, to create kids who are college-bound, college-ready and willing to return to Baltimore to be the next generation of leaders,” said Beth Drummond Casey, the partnership?s director. “These are kids that have shown signs that they?ve got the fire and we want to surround them with support and enrichment to ensure that will happen.”
To bring students into the program, teachers and principals at local schools identify sixth-grade students they feel possess a high potential. These students are then given the opportunity to enroll in the program, which provides them with comprehensive year-round learning opportunities during three summers and their two remaining middle school years.
Students participate in four- to five-week summer programs taught by teachers from 20 city public and private schools. Teachers also work with the students two days each week after school during the school year and on four to eight Saturdays during the school year. Teaching focuses on math, science, reading and writing.
In 2005, the program boasted 150 students. This year, it works with 400 students with an annual budget of about $800,000, the majority of which pays the teachers.
“We think it?s a significant economic development opportunity, as well as an educational opportunity for the children,” said Tom Wilcox, president of the nonprofit Baltimore Community Foundation, one of the partnership?s founding organizations. “If Baltimore is going to depend on a biotech economy in the future, we need to invest in workforce development. It?s really about tapping youth and getting them to their potential.”
Meanwhile, Bob Schaefer, executive director of the France-Merrick Foundation, a donor to the program, said this program is essential if Baltimore is to be an economic leader.
“With a good education, students involved in this program will be better prepared for employment,” Schaefer said. “More importantly, they?ll be better prepared to get into a good college, which would help them even more in terms of career options.”
Program donors
» The Morton K. and Jane Blaustein Foundation
» The Jane and Worth B. Daniels Jr. Fund
» The Eddie C. and Sylvia Brown Family Foundation
» The Funds for Populations at Risk
» The Children of Harvey and Lyn Meyerhoff Fund
» The France-Merrick Foundation
» The David and Lucille Packard Foundation
» The Baltimore Community Foundation
