2019 Community Based Grant Application

Timestamp  9/28/2018 12:34:52 PM

Our Lady of Grace Nativity School for Girls

Program Title:  Our Lady of Grace Student Scholarship

Mission Statement:        Our Lady of Grace Nativity School for girls is an urban Catholic middle school seeking to lay the foundation for young women to succeed in college prep high school programs, in college, and beyond. The school is dedicated to providing a Catholic education for students of low income families from the Washington/Gardner neighborhood. In the Jesuit tradition, Nativity students are encouraged to deepen their relationship with God as they become women for others.

Year Organization was founded:     2006                                           

Website: shnativity.org

Previous Grant Recipient?         2018 - $9,650; 2014 - $1,000; 2013 - $10,000; 2012 - $10,000; 2011 - $10,000; 2009 - $15,000; 2008 - $15,000; 2007 - $15,000

Contact Person, Title, Phone, Email Address, Mailing Address:

Pam Klaus, Director of Advancement, 408-993-1293 ext. 220, pklaus@shnativity.org

310 Edwards Ave., San Jose, CA 95110 

Executive Director Name and Email:

Same, Same

Physical Location: San Jose, CA

Type of Education or funding:  Language / Reading training, High School or College completion materials and/or tutoring

Target population:  Low income

Tax Exempt Purpose and Activities of the Organization:  : Our Lady of Grace (OLG) is a Jesuit faith-based Nativity middle school located in the Washington neighborhood of San José, an impoverished, urban community. OLG currently serves 49 very low-income girls in grades 6, 7 and 8. Currently, 100% of OLG students are Latina, most are from families who are recent immigrants, and English is not the primary language spoken at home. OLG girls often live in neighborhoods where gangs, prostitution and violence are prevalent. OLG families have an average income of $29,000 or less, which meets HUD guidelines as very-low income for a household of one, let alone larger families. Consequently, OLG students are at great risk of being victims of an ongoing cycle of poverty including lack of higher education, little economic mobility and poor health. OLG performs an intervention for girls living in poverty through access to a strong academic program, well qualified teachers, and enrichment programs so that by the time they graduate as eighth graders, they are able to compete for openings in college preparatory high schools. Through the Nativity education, the girls are empowered to become the first in their families to attend and graduate from college.

Brief Program Description:  The unique Nativity educational model provides students with a foundation for life-changing education and support. These middle school girls are able to achieve academic success and pave the pathway toward higher education, raising the family’s ability to break the multi-generational cycle of poverty.

Grant Amount Requested:     $10,000    Percent of Total Program Budget: 0.99%

Number of Women and/or Girls Served:  Total number of girls directly impacted under this proposal is one. Indirectly, by providing this support, there is a ripple effect which will impact all 49 Our Lady of Grace students as well as their families.

Purpose of the Grant Request:  OLG seeks to engage students and their families to establish a foundation for a lifetime of improved outcomes. The requested funds from the Lantern League will be used to provide a student sponsorship to offset the costs of providing a Nativity middle school education for one Our Lady of Grace student. For fiscal year 2018-19, the annual cost to educate a girl at OLG is $21,143 per student. Because our students come from low-income families (households with an annual income of $29,000 or less), they pay only $45 a month in tuition. The remainder of the cost, or 99% of the cost of education, comes through private donations, so the school attempts to identify student sponsors at the $20,000 level to fill the gap. Our Lady of Grace students receive nearly twice the number of instructional hours per year than most middle schools to compensate for their entering behind grade level in reading and math. The academic program prepares girls for the rigor and content of a college-preparatory high school and is distinguished by smaller classes; an extended academic day; a longer school year, which includes a summer program and monthly Saturday School; and co-curricular activities. Students benefit from a rich and integrated environment where they become proficient in core subject areas such as English, Math, Social Science, Science, Religion, Spanish, and Electives (e.g., Art, Music and High School Preparation). The English Language Arts (ELA) program offers ELL students opportunities to develop their English language skills, serving the majority of OLG students. OLG students succeed as a result of an extended academic day and year; a pre-college prep curriculum, parental involvement and support services.

Program Goals, Objective and Strategies:        The overarching goal is to assist students to escape poverty through educational opportunity. The specific goal is to bridge the gap in funding to allow one girl to attend OLG and benefit from this opportunity. The objective is to empower young women to take charge of their educational choices, to succeed academically and to move forward on the pathway toward higher education. Strategies include: 1. Extended School Day —10-hour school day 7:30 AM -5:30 pm with academic instruction ending at 3 PM, followed by an Activity Period and Homework Club four days per week. 2. Pre-College Prep Curriculum — An academically challenging and highly structured environment helps students as they engage in a pre-college prep academic program. 3. Saturday School —OLG students attend monthly Saturday School, which offers off-campus trips and additional academic instruction on campus or opportunities for community service. 4. Extended Academic Year — To help prevent academic regression, students attend a six week summer school and summer outdoor education program which includes community service. 5. Leadership opportunities for girls including after school sports (volleyball and basketball), Campus Ministry and Student Council. 6. Ongoing support through a school counselor addressing social-emotional issues and services preparing the student for the high school application process.

Program Outcomes and Evaluation:   : Outcomes will be measured by standardized testing, including Renaissance/STAR, as well as data analysis about high school and college enrollment. Anticipated outcomes include: The OLG graduate is academically, spiritually and personally successful. She: • acknowledges the importance of education in shaping one’s future. • is able to communicate ideas effectively in speech and in writing. • demonstrates significant progress in reading and mathematics. • understands the importance of being a person for others and serving those in need. • understands and supports the work for peace and justice in our society. • shows respect by making positive choices. • respects the rights and needs of others and treats them with kindness and understanding. • demonstrates cooperation in the classroom, courtesy in personal relationships, and teamwork on the playground. • respects differences among individuals of diverse races, cultures, and gender • acts with honesty and integrity in school, at home, and with peers. • accepts responsibility for personal actions and resulting consequences. • recognizes the need for positive leadership roles in and out of the classroom.

Organization and Program Sustainability and Strength:   OLG’s financial structure is robust yet unique, as it operates largely as a tuition-free school. Since opening in 2006, OLG has relied on a committed donor base. Lantern League support would help cover educational costs for one student. If OLG does not receive funds from the Lantern League, it will continue to identify additional funding, but may be restricted in its ability to offer student sponsorship. With the recent addition of employees to the advancement team there is great momentum to strengthen and steward relationships with existing and lapsed donors as well as to identify new donor prospects. OLG has bolstered fundraising, marketing, and communications, resulting in increased visibility and revenue. Its Board is working on an aggressive Campaign for Opportunity to seek major donors. OLG has strong leadership in its staff and Board of Directors. Key personnel include: Deacon Rubén Solorio - President, Lorraine Shepherd - Principal, Christina Prieto - Vice Principal of Curriculum & Instruction, Pam Klaus – Director of Advancement. The Board is composed of 18 active members comprised of leaders from South Bay businesses, community and educational organizations providing a variety of expertise.

Our Lady of Grace Budget Request FY'18-19