Alcanzando Metas Foundation

ALCANZANDO METAS PROGRAM CYCLE

If you would like to have  a print copy please click here The Vision1.pdf

Thanks to the support of the District’s Public Schools, Extended Education Office, more young Hispanic women will be getting into the Alcanzando Metas habit this fall. The habit for these high school Latinas is the new Habits for Academic Excellence program.

The Alcanzando Metas program has grown from a single program last year at Roosevelt High School, to include programs at Cardozo and Wilson high schools. Alcanzando Metas plans to bring the program to District middle schools at the start of 2008.

For now, the District-based foundation will focus on the three high schools, where Hispanic 9^th and 10^th grade girls will improve their academics with a healthy mix of English communication, networking skills, and effective personal management habits. Alcanzando Metas enables its participants to take charge of their own learning.

Key to the Habits for Academic Excellence program is the work of personal management guru Stephen Covey, whose popular book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People continues to serve as a reference work for many of today’s business and management professionals. Observing the habits’ success in a variety of career fields, Alcanzando Metas designed the Habits for Academic Excellence program to empower minority students with the same personal management tools and communication skills; these abilities are critical for 21^st century work.

Alcanzando Metas stands committed to helping young Hispanic women prepare for 21^st century careers, particularly in the science, mathematics, and technology fields. To realize this commitment, though, the foundation assists these Latinas with their most important career decision: staying in high school. With the Hispanic drop out rate hovering around 33% nationwide, the foundation knows the odds against many high school Latinas- but with increased programs around the District, and plans for more programs in the coming year, the foundation aims to make a difference.

But it’s a difference that will take more than academic support. Alcanzando Metas offers additional programs to assist with its academic habits program, including mentors for individual students and plans for parent resource centers at its host schools. Much of the Habits for Academic Excellence focuses on 9^th and 10^th graders, helping the students make successful transitions to high school classrooms. The foundation continues its support of older students with mentoring and college preparation resources.

The Habits for Academic Excellence program packages a rich array of resources to get District Latino girls into the academic habit. For many of these Latinas, getting into the habit will be their biggest step toward a successful career in the 21^st century. Participation in the twice per week, after-school programs may easily translate into a total career venture for many of these academically at-risk students.

Interested in the Habits for Academic Excellence or other Alcanzando Metas Programs? Contact Ms. Laura Drain, Executive Director, at laura@ametas.org or 202.250.0887.