Founded in 1998 by a group of diverse Detroit businessmen concerned about educational opportunities for at-risk Detroit area youth, the organization began with three students in three schools. Today we support more than 35 boys and girls in 11 private high schools, making private school affordable for low-income families. SMP has developed comprehensive partnerships with the principals, counselors and teachers at our partnering high schools to effectively monitor students and their academic and social growth. This helps to ensure that they will be prepared for college.
The average tuition sponsorship is $2,000 annually per student, which covers partial tuition costs to attend one of the partnering private high schools. Each student is matched
with an individual adult mentor for four years until high school graduation. Ninety eight percent (98%) of SMP program graduates have gone on to attend college, with many of them receiving scholarships.
SMP Mission
The mission of Student Mentor Partners is to provide at-risk Detroit area youth an opportunity to realize their dreams to graduate from high school.
SMP Vision
Our vision is to enable Detroit-area at-risk youth to compete more successfully for employment, become better qualified for higher education, achieve greater personal fulfillment and contribute more productively to society.
Founded in 1998 by a group of diverse Detroit businessmen concerned about educational opportunities for at-risk Detroit area youth, the organization began with three students in three schools. Today we support more than 35 boys and girls in 11 private high schools, making private school affordable for low-income families. SMP has developed comprehensive partnerships with the principals, counselors and teachers at our partnering high schools to effectively monitor students and their academic and social growth. This helps to ensure that they will be prepared for college.