Executive Summary

The (LIFT) Lessons Intended for Transformation STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) program was established to enhance an accelerating need for academic growth of marginalized and under-represented students outside a traditional learning environment.  LIFT Nonprofit Organization will provide a summer camp for students in third through sixth grades to focus on summer learning loss, but also leadership development, social and behavioral skills.

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August through May after school Tutoring, Mentoring and Social Services will be offered for students in grades 3 through 5 attending Rankin Elementary School, Greensboro, North Carolina. 

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LIFT Summer Camp will facilitate a six-week learning cycle during the summer of 2024 (June 17-July 29). The focus is to improve students’ academic growth and achievement.  In addition, students will be exposed to soft skills mini workshops to enhance their abilities to be college and career ready. Monday through Thursday activities will include technology, arts and crafts, reading, math and social and emotional learning.  Fridays will be set aside for guest industry visitors and industry tours.  The LIFT Summer Camp will be a bridge to the 2024-2025 LIFT After School program.

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LIFT After School program is a nine-month tutoring, mentoring and social services curriculum facilitation. Special emphasis will be on homework completion, test preparation, social skills building, and the development of effective study habits.  Further, daily processes of prevention, intervention, social and emotional skills will used to accomplish the program goals.  All program activities will be orchestrated by the program director and delivered by trained tutors and volunteers. Volunteers and those hired will have been screened by North Carolina background checks.  LIFT will operate from 3:15p-6p. The last thirty minutes will be dedicated to providing participants with a meal.

 

Background

LIFT was initiated to meet academic and social needs of students at Rankin Elementary School.  This need was identified based on seven years of state testing data listing Rankin Elementary as a low performing school among all the schools in North Carolina. Rankin’s average performance grade from 2014-2022 was 45. Based on this data, Rankin Elementary’ s third, fourth and fifth graders growth and achievement continue to decline at the current level, these students may face barriers to becoming high achieving students who continue to higher education, therefore missing an opportunity to become productive members of their community and society. 

 

Mission 

The LIFT (Lessons Intended for Transformation) Program is a non-profit organization working in our local community to provide low-income children 3rd through 5th grade and their families with needed academic and social support to help children reach their full potential.

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Vision 

To transform our local community from within to strengthen families and improve opportunity gaps of children for long term academic, social and professional success. 

 

Objectives 

To improve students in third through fifth grade in the areas of academic growth and performance, exposure to STEAM subjects, and reduce absenteeism and truancy rates at Rankin Elementary.

 

Project Goals 

The overarching goal of this project is to increase test scores, reduce absenteeism, reduce suspensions and to urge parents to be more engaged in a positive manner.

Over the course of the first-year participants will:

• Increase reading and math scores by 3-5%

• Exhibit positive behavior that supports academic and social growth

• Reduce absenteeism by 5%

• Increase parental engagement by 10% 

Second year participants will:

• Increase reading and math score by 5-7%

• Exhibit positive behavior that supports academic and social growth

• Reduce absenteeism by 7-10%

• Increase parental engagement by 15%

Third year participants will:

• Increase reading and math scores by 10%

• Exhibit positive behavior that supports academic and social growth by participating in school activities

• Reduce absenteeism by 7-10%

• Increase parental engagement by 15-20%

 

Participants in the program will hopefully see gains in testing, behavior, and begin to exhibit leadership skills.

 

Values

At LIFT, we are guided by the following core values:

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• Integrity:  We conduct ourselves with honesty, sincerity, and consistency in all interactions and transactions.

• Respect:  We treat all individuals with dignity, respect diversity, and value the opinions and perspectives of others.

• Accountability:  We take responsibility for our actions, decisions, and their consequences.

• Transparency:  We provide accurate, complete, and clear information to stakeholders, both internally and externally.

• Compliance:  We adhere to all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards.

• Excellence:  We strive for excellence in our work and services, while continuously improving our skills and processes.