Program News 2001
New Planning Grant Sets GSS in Forefront of Educational Reform Efforts
Good Shepherd Services, in conjunction with BASIS (Brooklyn and Staten Island Schools), has been awarded a planning grant to help advance high school reform efforts in New York City under the New Century High Schools for NYC Initiative. Our proposed collaboration is one of eight diverse partnerships between school districts and community-based organizations that have been selected from a pool of 27 applicants to receive planning grants totaling $1 million. Funded by The Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and The Open Society Institute, this effort is seeking to transform high schools in New York City into more effective learning environments for students by revamping existing, low-performing, large high schools or creating new, small schools. Planning grant winners will compete for implementation grants in March 2002.
This grant will enable GSS along with BASIS and other community partners as well as young people and parents to build on our successful model, South Brooklyn Community Academy, to create a small, independent public school that will be able to provide education to an expanded student body. The school will combine a personalized learning environment with youth leadership activities. It will be firmly grounded in a commitment to positive youth development and academic achievement and will incorporate a strong counseling component. The curriculum, environment and support system will be tailored to address attendance improvement and promote educational progress.
October 5, 2001
