After nearly two years of development, we launched our Elevate Student Growth Assessment this program year. As most of our supporters know, the Elevate mission is very committed to both developing equitable life-changing relationships and measuring the impact and results of our community impact. I am very excited to share progress that captures both and will be instrumental in our focus on upward economic mobility!
At Elevate, we track the type of mentoring (sports and adventure, pathways to purpose, socio-emotional, etc.), and the mode of mentoring (one-on-one, small group, or large group). Our team also keeps academic records regarding our accredited classes in both Elevate Indianapolis and school’s tracking platforms, so we know the GPA, attendance, and essential matriculation results.
However, in this new Student Growth Assessment (Index), we can determine program priorities and develop individual and intentional mentoring plans.
Teacher-Mentors meet individually with Elevate high school students and ask a series of important questions to better understand their current dynamics, goals, holistic growth opportunities, and desires. Our students answer questions based on their comfortability within these established trusted relationships. Students rank their areas of holistic wellness (intellectual, emotional, vocational, physical, financial, social, and spiritual). Our student responses inform Elevate on how to prioritize types of mentoring and community partnerships as expressed by our students. This empowers the Elevate mentors to be able to fully, “see, know, hear and love” the students they’re serving.
For example, this year we’ve learned that 95% of Elevate underclassmen are on track to graduate, which for us is especially impactful, considering 37% of Elevate high school students have shared one or more parents didn’t graduate from high school! Through our SGA Index, we’ve learned that while only 9% defined success as directly and solely based on college, the strongest career field of interest is entrepreneurship/Business Management/Finance being 34%.
Or that 92% of Elevate students reported that they are receiving help in making decisions and 82% of Elevate students reported that they are making progress toward their future goals! These are just a snapshot of the SGA results we are learning in real time from our current high school students!
The Elevate Leadership Team reviews the results annually to determine program strengths and gaps. The team identifies where program pivots (within our scope of expertise) may be necessary. While much of the program design is vetted and contributes directly to the theory of change, there are components (such as culture days and the types of vision trips) intentionally left for the affiliate and Teacher-Mentor to customize based on strengths and needs.
We also identify where additional corporate and Community Partners may be needed! Program SMART Goals are also derived from the information gathered. SMART goal progress is tracked in real-time, via Salesforce and reviewed quarterly during our Continuous Quality Improvement process.
Should you have an interest in learning more about our future vision, reach out directly, or sign up for one of our remaining site visits this school year.
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