Pictured: Students explore their potential futures at the Booker High School College Fair.

As the end of the semester draws near for the 2018-19 school year, The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is proud to provide supplemental funding to Booker High School to boost those programs that help students finish the school term strong, recently granting the school $30,000. “These dollars will help advance, what we have learned to be, effective models and practices,” says Booker High School Principal Rachel Shelley. “Our goal is to not only increase our graduation rate but to provide college and career readiness outcomes that will empower our students for the 21st Century workforce.”

“A significant portion of the grant will be used to level the playing field for 1st generation students,” Shelley continues, “by providing college access and college success through SAT/ACT and essential skill training programs, increasing college visits, allowing summer bridge programs for incoming Freshman, collaborating with Booker Middle and Emma E. Booker Schools to increase STEM related activities for underserved populations in our community, and offering rewards and incentives to all students through our Renaissance Program.”

Funds will also go towards a number of invaluable facets like discretionary support of students and teachers, and assisting the wellness program, which reaches 60-120 staff and 300-600 students through wellness workshops with accompanying software. Additionally, the grant will support staff and student appreciation, faculty meetings, staff yoga, Renaissance Program celebrations for the students with 3.0 or higher GPA, industry certifications and special celebrations for graduating students.

“The investment in our innovative strategies will ensure that our students will develop the knowledge skills and behaviors to be successful in the 21st century and staff will be recognize for the hard work,” says Shelley. “Again, I’m appreciative and grateful for this unspeakable gift.”

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is proud to partner with SRQ Media Group to highlight stories about community impact powered by philanthropy in our region, thanks to the support of donors and our local nonprofit partners. The Community Foundation is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community.

Pictured: Students explore their potential futures at the Booker High School College Fair.

Booker High School