Link here to the Wilder Research Brief on Achievement Plus (April 2009).  Some highlights:

• Looking at 2008 data, an “apples to apples” comparison of students with similar race, language status, and income characteristics, finds most Dayton’s Bluff students outperform their statewide peers in both math and reading.
• When the program John A. Johnson elementary in 2001, 37 percent tested proficient on combined reading and math MCA test scores. In 2008, 51 percent of students testing are proficient.
• Ratings by teachers show continued improvement in order and discipline at both Dayton’s Bluff and John A. Johnson schools.

Achievement Plus is a private and public partnership between the Saint Paul Public Schools and the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation to improve student achievement in Saint Paul’s urban schools.  Achievement Plus is currently operating in four schools: John A. Johnson Elementary, Dayton's Bluff Elementary, and Cleveland Junior High.  In 2008, the SPPS Foundation helped to expand this initiative to the University Academies for Boys and Girls at North End Elementary.

Other partners who helped create the initiative include the City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County, and the State of Minnesota. The SPPS Foundation supports Achievement Plus by taking the lead on fundraising with the SPPS district and Wilder to leverage partnerships to bring more community resources to the program.

inspire.

Imagine eliminating the achievement gap in Saint Paul Public Schools and in St. Paul's low-income neighborhoods. Imagine community schools where rigor and extended-day learning are combined with holistic services for students and their families.

innovate.

How do we do this? By supporting Achievement Plus community schools to put services into place such as health care, family services, and academic learning supports such as tutoring and mentoring. The program has been expanded in 2008 to North End elementary school with the University Academies for Boys and Girls utilizing the Achievement Plus model and same gender classes.

involve.

Besides volunteering for Tutoring Partnership, Achievement Plus schools often have needs specific to their programs.  For a current wish list for individual schools, please contact the Foundation office.

invest.

When you invest in Achievement Plus, your tax-deductible donations are used to support students including uniforms ($50 per child), home libraries ($100 per student) and other resources to create successful learning environments.

Click here to complete the volunteer application or contact Kara at 651-325-4205 (or by email at tutor [at] sppsfoundation [dot] org).

Click here to learn more about how to make your tax-deductable donation.

For more information about Achievement Plus, follow the link to the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation's website:  www.wilder.org.