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 2010, would be interviewed in April or May 2010).
• 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 August (prior to the start of the upcoming school year).

General Information Meetings

February 24, 2010
General Info Meeting
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Loyola High School
15325 Pinehurst
Detroit, MI 48238
(North of 5 mile / West of Wyoming)

March 17, 2010
General Info Meeting
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Detroit Urban Lutheran
8181 Greenfield
Detroit, MI 48228
(between Joy and Warren)

Special arrangements may be possible.
Please call our office at 586-445-6295 to RSVP