School Details

Elev8 brings together schools, families and other community partners in low-income areas — to ensure that students succeed in middle school and beyond. Part of a growing movement of community schools around the country, Elev8 operates community school initiatives in Baltimore, Chicago, New Mexico, and Oakland. In early 2005, The Atlantic Philanthropies launched a process for selecting locations in which to implement Elev8 (then known as Integrated Services in Schools). Working with a national panel of education and health experts, Atlantic staff analyzed data on 35 communities across the country and, in 2006, selected Baltimore, Chicago, Oakland and New Mexico. These communities were selected in part because they had leaders, partners and community members committed to helping young people succeed in school and in life. Selection criteria also included socioeconomic needs and disparities, health profiles, academic performance and neighborhood crime data. Many participating schools are in zip codes with some of the lowest life expectancies and highest rates of asthma hospitalizations, STD diagnoses and teen births in the country. With support from Atlantic and its funding partners, a community-based organization in each location led the planning, development and implementation of the local effort. In turn, the lead organizations were required to obtain matching support from other public and private sources to sustain Elev8 in their communities. A national program office was established to provide evaluation and technical assistance for the initiative. External evaluators were also engaged by Atlantic. Today, Elev8 looks different in every participating school. The lead organizations for Elev8 have brought together students, parents, educators, community partners and elected officials to identify local problems and create solutions. Students, families and partners become advocates for improving education and expanding access to critical resources in their community.

School-based health services, tax clinics, adult job training, Out-of-school-time learning programs, such as math, science and technology classes; homework help; mentoring; anti-violence initiatives; community service and leadership opportunities; and arts and cultural activities. 

Varies from site to site 

·         One Elev8 New Mexico school has seen scores on standardized math tests increase by 45% since       the introduction of Elev8. 

    

Elev8 Community Schools Recognized as Together for Tomorrow Champions 

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