With politics literally engulfing us on a daily basis I chose to find something positive out of all that. One of those topics that even though it is a very tough subject is the condition of our school system and/or education in general. There is a movement out today called #BestSchoolDay that has CEO's, celebrities and many others creating and starting a movement toward improving our schools.
In Colorado Springs we are fortunate to have several nonprofits that make a big difference in education
however one called Peak Education comes tomind. Here is a group dedicated to helping low income students in the Colorado Springs area achieve academic and personal success. While the organization used to primarily provide scholarships for 6th graders who earned good grades and behaved throughout the rest of their middle and high school years, they now support students outside of the classroom. Since it is difficult for many of these students to focus on school with their backgrounds, Peak Education found that they needed to be providing more than just financial motivations in order to promote graduation and college readiness. The system is comprised of four strategies: 1) mentoring for college and career readiness, 2) leadership development, 3) community connection, and 4) parental engagement. Through these supportive areas, Peak Education has 95% of their students graduating high school, and 93% of their high school graduates puruse higher education.
This organization seems to be an especially brilliant strategy aimed at bettering our community. Not only do they provide these students with supportive services to help them graduate and go on to college, but those students are coming back to mentor and help new Peak Education students. It is creating a wonderful network of opportunity and education that would otherwise be a far stretch for many of these kids. If higher education was more attainable to everyone, then our community would look very different. Peak Education's effort and mark on Colorado Springs is truyly praiseworthy.
If Peak Education's mission is something that would interest you in making a contribution or even volunteering, contact information and more details can be found here.
About the Author: Kelly Conner Young, GRI
- Authors Website OwnYourOwnMountain.com
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Kelly is an Associate Broker with The Platinum Group Realtors. She has over 15 years experience in Real Estate in the Colorado Springs and Front Range region of Colorado. She represents buyers and sellers of real estate buying homes, land for sale and mountain property getaways. Specific areas include: Black Forest, Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Divide, Falcon, Downtown, Manitou Springs, Monument, Old Colorado City, Westside, Woodmen Hills and Woodland Park. You can reach her at 719-226-0126 or by clicking "email the author" above.
