Indicator Narratives

 

ST1.1 The STEM school/program supports non-traditional student participation through outreach to groups often underrepresented in STEM program areas

 

What were the areas of strength noted in the Self Assessment?

 

AGE’s multiethnic population of staff and students are mainly from the geographic location of Bergen county as well as neighboring counties such as Union and Hudson. Some students travel from as far as Staten Island, New York.  Since the school community is from a very diverse group of people, they better understand the needs of the minorities and underrepresented groups.  

 

AGE has identified four main categories of people to be underrepresented groups:

 

1. The Financially Challenged Families

2. Refugees from war prone nations

3. Orphans

4. Muslim Girls

 

The Academy of Greatness and Excellence (AGE) since its inception in 2013, has been actively seeking students from various backgrounds to participate both in the regular academic program, as well as in the annual summer program. As part of the enrollment campaign, AGE reaches out to the general public through many channels of communication and advertisements both within the school population and the general public. The school has an outreach plan in place to help advertise and encourage participation in all STEM events by almost all underrepresented groups and minorities. hence, all stakeholders are kept well informed of both STEM learning and other disciplines taught in the school.

 

AGE STEM Programs:

 

Many STEM events are held at the school throughout the school year to encourage participation of all students. In addition to school events, AGE Summer Camp, is a STEM based summer program that contains many science activities and field trips. It has been noted that many students show a high level of enthusiasm to participate in STEM related events. The AGE STEM events have a strong presence on social media. The AGE Facebook Page highlights all school events  on a weekly basis. 

 

The Outreach

 

•  AGE Financial Aid: is provided to families that cannot afford to pay monthly tuition. Being a private school, it is understood that the financially challenged segment of the community will not be able to participate in the educational programs. Hence, the school provides financial assistance depending on the income and needs of underrepresented financially challenged families.

 

• Syrian Refugee Grant - AGE is currently recruiting refugee students into all classes. They will be offered a 100% cost free education which includes registration, books, uniform, tuition and lunch.

 

• Orphan Scholarship: Children who have lost either their father or both parents are being offered scholarships at AGE. Girls are the main focus for this initiative.

 

• AGE STEM Grant: Motivates Muslim girls who are underrepresented in the community AGE takes pride in having girls as 60% of their student population. Our math and science competitions see a high number of female participants.

 

• Transportation: Transportation is provided to students residing in the following locations: Jersey City, Bayonne and Union, and Staten Island (NY).

 

What were areas in need of improvement?

What actions are being implemented to sustain the areas of strength?

What plans are being made to improve the areas of need?