Source:  News Release

TIMELY STARTING GATE COLLEGE READINESS PROGRAM MEETS THE NEEDS OF MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Lexington, Ky. – The Race for Education (RFE) is excited to announce that its Starting Gate Program officially launched on Monday, September 12^th at Paris Independent Middle School.  The official launch of the Starting Gate program at Leestown Middle School is October 3rd.  A similar after-school youth program has been in operation by the Race For Education in New York since 2009.  We have had a high rate of success in educating and mentoring 7^th and 8^th graders through a study hall program involving community volunteers, educational field trips and lectures given by inspirational community speakers.

Over 20 students from Leestown Middle School are signed up to participate in the Starting Gate program every Monday and Wednesday from 4:15-5:30 P.M., while over 20 students from Paris Independent Middle School have registered for the program held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30 P.M. Teaching partners and volunteers from the Central Kentucky community have attended orientation sessions and are excited to participate.

The RFE’s purpose in providing the Starting Gate college readiness program is to engage families and youth of central Kentucky to improve grades, study skills, and post-secondary preparation, while also imparting the value of continued education via college or vocational school. Immediate results include an improvement in GPA and study habits while long-term results include preparing more students for college, helping them qualify for merit scholarships and instilling within them the importance of education and why they need to invest in their own future. While priority is given to families of farm workers, the program is open to all at-risk youth in the community as determined by the school’s guidance counselors.

Some of the many services that will be offered include: tutoring; computer training; social networking; public speaking; ACT/SAT/PSAT preparatory courses; cultural field trips; and career research and counseling.

The Race for Education has partnered with Georgetown College, the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University to offer a teaching internship which will provide a $1000 scholarship each semester to a college student majoring in education.  Not only will the middle school students benefit from hands-on work with a college student that has a vested interest in the teaching profession, but the college student will benefit as well from valuable time spent in the classroom.

“We see the Starting Gate program as an important investment not only in the students in our community, but also in future teachers” stated Elisabeth Jensen, the organization’s President and Executive Director.

If you would like to volunteer as a teaching partner, or to find out more about the internship opportunity, please contact Mandy Otis, Student Services Coordinator, at motis@raceforeducation.org. For further inquiries about the after-school program and curriculum, please contact Jacqueline McNaughton, Starting Gate Program Coordinator, at jacqueline@raceforeducation.org

The Race for Education provides educational programs and college scholarships to young people with significant financial need in the equine and agriculture industries. The majority of their students come from high need, low income backgrounds. The Race for Education not only offers financial support for these students, but also mentoring, tutoring, and partnership support to ensure students are receiving the support and educational skills they need to be successful.

For more information visit www.raceforeducation.org.