Nike School Innovation Grant Funds Leap Start Summer Program In Beaverton School District

Nearly 260 students are jumping at the chance this summer to attend the Beaverton School District's five week Leap Start Summer Program, funded by the Nike School Innovation Fund (NSIF). The $130,000 NSIF Early Learners Innovation Grant provides an innovative, community-based program for at-risk students from twelve Beaverton elementary schools. The program runs from July 6 through August 5, 2010. There are two sessions daily.

The Beaverton Leap Start Program provides early learners a jump start in acquiring literacy and socialization skills. "These students are eager to learn and be engaged during the summer," says Jerry Colonna, Beaverton School District superintendent. "The staff and community partnerships have been pivotal to the success of Leap Start."Teachers closely monitor student progress to ensure individual academic needs are met. External program evaluations have found that students in the program increased literacy, math and social-emotional skills and are finding sustained success during the regular school year.

A unique feature of the program is the use of community sites such as apartment complex community rooms. Thanks to a collaboration between the Nike School Innovation Fund and the City of Beaverton, the Beaverton Community Center has been added this summer, in addition to seven different community-based sites. Additional collaboration with Impact Northwest, a recent immigrant student grant, and Title 1 federal funds has allowed the program to develop and expand to serve more students.

The partnership between Beaverton School District and the Nike School Innovation Fund (NSIF) is in its fourth year and builds on a prior investment of approximately $300,000 by NSIF over the past three years.

The Nike School Innovation Fund is a five-year, $9 million commitment to supporting public education in three Oregon public school districts, Portland, Beaverton and Hillsboro. The fund was announced in January 2007 by Nike CEO Mark Parker. NSIF is an affiliate of the Portland Business Alliance Charitable Institute.