Students

Give your child an opportunity for high school success. Student Mentor Partners offers a unique blend of adult mentoring and tuition assistance.

*Youth who meet regularly with mentors are:
 

• 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
• 27% less likely to begin drinking alcohol
• 52% less likely to skip school
• 33% less likely to hit someone

The benefits of a private high school education:
 

• The graduation rate for private high school students is higher than that of public school students.**
• Minority students who graduate from private high schools are more than twice as likely to attend four-year colleges than their counterparts in public schools.**

We assist at-risk youth from moderately low to low-income families in receiving a quality private high school education by providing the guidance of an adult mentor and tuition assistance. Families, schools and mentors form a partnership to help youth attain the tools to succeed.
 

*Making a Difference, An Impact Study of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Public Private Ventures, 1995.

**U.S. Dept. of Education National Center for Education Statistics 2002

Criteria for Acceptance

Criteria for accepting youth into Student Mentor Partners:
 

• Youth must be entering the 9th or 10th grade during the year in which they are applying.
• Youth must have average grades with the potential to improve academically.
• Family must be moderately low to low-income and does not have the financial resources to pay their child’s entire tuition to a private high school. SMP asks for tax information and pay stubs as proof of income.
• The student needs and desires the support of a role model mentor for four years.

Application Process

Before proceeding to the Application Process, you must first read the Criteria for Acceptance.
 

• Applications ARE NOT available online or distributed through the mail.
• Students who meet the Criteria for Acceptance must attend a General Information Meeting in order to receive an application.
• Applications are 3-Part:
  
  1)  Student Application
  2)  Parent Application
  3)  School Recommendation
• Upon receipt of an application, applicants may be invited for an interview. Please note: every applicant does not receive an interview. However, acceptance cannot be granted without an interview.
  
  -  Interviews are conducted April-May prior to the start of the upcoming school year (e.g. applicants starting
     school in August 2007, would be interviewed in April or May 2007).
• Students are accepted into the program in June (prior to the start of the upcoming school year).
• Upon acceptance into the program, students are required to attend a week-long training session in July entitled “How to Succeed in High School.” The training is a requirement for participation in the program. Failure to attend the training will result in non-participation in the program.
• Students are matched with their volunteer mentor in July (prior to the start of the upcoming school year).

General Information Meetings

Currently, there are no general information meetings scheduled.  Please check back periodically for updated dates.