Dream Academy Participants

Demographic Profile of Dreamers

Students represent 5 states including North Carolina. Within North Carolina, students represent 3 counties: Wake County (Cary, Morrisville, Apex, Holly Springs, and Raleigh), Durham County (Durham), and Chatham County (Pittsboro) across 16 different zip codes. There are approximately 60 students registered at the 1528 Davis Drive site, 50 students registered at the Wake County Public Elementary School site (when meeting in person), and 8 students who are strictly online.

Dream Academy Accomplishments

Significant Accomplishments (End of 2020)

· 100% High School Graduation Rate and 100% College Placement Rate for the Class of 2020

· Creation of an Online / Virtual Learning Space - Ability to engage students across 5 states

· Over $400,000 in financial assistance award by independent schools to Dreamers during the 2020/2021 academic term

· Continued Partnership with Cary Academy, St. David’s, St. Timothy’s and other TISC Institutions

· $10,000 grant from The Goodnight Educational Foundation

· $2,500 grant and future partnership with Fidelity Investments

· Set established strategic goals and curriculum for 2021

· Introduction of new programs series– Financial Management; Language and Global Studies; Stress and Anxiety

· Triangle Debate League Summer Camp

· Virtual Summer Enrichment Program with Cary Academy

ENGL497 – Creative Writing – Poetry & Plays
Summer Book Club (Stella Takes a Stand, My Life As An Ice-Cream Sandwich and Just Mercy)
The College Experience - Sessions with Parents and Dreamers - What you need to know about helping prepare your child for college and Three Sessions with Dreamers – College Preparation (ACT and SAT test taking strategies, Writing College Essays, and Major and College Sections)

· Quarterly Community Service Projects

End of 2019 Major Accomplishments

· $3,500 donation from Pleasant Grove Church

· $5,000 grant from The Goodnight Educational Foundation

· 50- 65 + Dreamers at the 1528 Davis Drive ~ Cary, NC site

· 45-50 Dreamers at the Wake County Public School Site ~ Morrisville, NC

· 41 Dreamers enrolled at a 2-Week Summer Academic Enrichment Program in Partnership with Cary Academy – $25,000 Grant from Lenovo and Cary Academy

· Community Partnership with Triangle Independent School Consortium – to promote the benefits of independent school education

· Cary Academy – 6 Dreamers Accepted for 19/20

· St. David’s School – 8 Dreamers Accepted for 19/20

· The Dream Academy partners with local public and private schools to provide the optimal experience that each student deserves.

· Promotion rate of 98%, and non-suspension rate of 98%.

· The program has a 100% high school graduation rate with 100% college placement in two- and four-year colleges;

· Most telling is the $330,000 in support/ resources for Dream Academy students during 2019-2020.

· College Road Trips: Campbell University, Elon University, High Point University, UNC Pembroke, Winston Salem State University, UNC School of the Arts

· Attendance at the HBCU College Fair – Raleigh, NC

· Various Community Service Projects and Guest Speakers – Innovative series on financial planning and communication

· Strategic Plan was created and approved

· Stability and Commitment of Executive Team Members and the Pleasant Grove Board

· Increased volunteer participation

· The commitment to community service is evident with close to 500 community service hours invested over two years.

How We Measure Impact

Tracking of Academic Progress via report card grades and PSAT, SAT, ACT and/or ASVAB scores
The number of In and Out of School Suspensions
Summer Jobs, Internships, Shadowing Experiences, and or Interactions with Professional Mentors
Award of a High School diploma
Admission into independent school
Admission into post-secondary institutions
Selection of an academic major and career path
Completion of college and career placement or admission into a graduate program