Ambassadors4Success

Clinton Global Initiative
A 2015 Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action

Redefine Urban Achievement

Ambassadors4Success is designed for replicability with the following core objectives:

  • Enhance Student Engagement
  • Improve Teacher Instruction
  • Redefine Urban Achievement
student and teacher

A Pathway to Success

A4S uses critical “out of school time” during the summer and weekends to engage students in meaningful application of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts. The program provides a teacher-led, inquiry/problem-based learning environment which maximizes individual learner potential and ensures that all students have the knowledge and skills to meet the demands of the 21st century. Each year, students develop the critical thinking skills, technological literacy, and self-efficacy tools needed to thrive in the workplace. The program culminates with an entry-level, paid internship during which learners receive individualized support, guidance, and mentoring that will enhance both academic and social development.

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Enhance Student Engagement

An engaged student is less likely to be truant and more likely to graduate. When students see their learning brought to life and given real world context, they are engaged. A4S works to improve life outcomes for kids by providing engaging, relevant courses and experiences. Different from many college prep programs, we start with incoming freshmen to ensure a higher percentage of graduates.

Dangerous Curves

Nationally, around 30% of high school students don’t graduate. Freshmen who are on-track are 4 times more likely to graduate1.

“Why do I have to learn this?”

It’s an age old question, but our students don’t ask it. They understand the relevance of the material from the beginning. In each course, students seek to answer a guiding question focused on a real world problem. On their quest for answers, we expose them to the professionals working to find solutions.

Summer Courses

A4S courses increase the awareness and affinity for STEM study and careers for urban students by providing engaging and inspiring subject matter. Students explore problems affecting their communities and approach solutions as scientists, technologists, and innovators. Each course incorporates financial literacy, digital citizenship, and interpersonal skills to prepare students to be leaders in tomorrow’s workforce and ambassadors in their communities.

Our model includes three stages for every course:

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Internal Investigation

Learning hard skills and foundations

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External Investigation

Exploring world context and testing credibility

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Mastery Projects

Demonstrating mastery of concepts and skills

Pathways to Health

Rising Juniors

Improve Teacher Instruction

Customized: Each year, A4S teachers will receive 100+ hours of professional development (PD) in inquiry and project-based learning in a creative, collaborative, peer-supportive environment. The PD is tailored to each school environment and skills learned are applicable across the core curriculum.

Relevant: Through a combination of independent, online installments and in-person collaborative workshops, the A4S Teacher Professional Development Program, equips educators with inquiry and project-based skills they can immediately implement in all of their classrooms. This type of student-centered instruction is proven to help empower students to take more ownership of their learning and create positive, real-world learning environments for both students and teachers.

Year-round Meet-ups

During the school year, one Saturday each month, students and teachers meet as a community to explore the city, attend engaging workshops, and inspire personal development. Outside of the traditional school structure, each class has more freedom and time to experience new learning environments. These Meet-ups help create community, develop personal networks, and provide college/career support. Students are empowered to believe in their potential and become leaders in their communities.

meet ups

Internships

Our City2Classroom partners help ensure our students are prepared for college and jobs by giving A4S seniors an opportunity to intern at their place of business. Students continue to develop their leadership skills by gaining hands-on experience in paid internships, university research projects, civic engagement, or entrepreneurial projects. A4S graduates emerge with a clearer understanding of the real-world workforce and they believe in their ability to be ambassadors in their community.

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