Career & College Prep Classes
–PSAT Practice Test (Sunday, October 7, 2018). In the fall of each year, FHFE offers a PSAT practice test under similar conditions to the actual test. The score of this test determines National Merit Scholars. Parents will receive an email a month prior to the practice with a registration link. There is a nominal fee to cover printing costs.
–ACT Blitz (May). This is an all day class during the school day for high school juniors and sophomores to learn ACT test taking strategies. A registration link will be sent to parents in April.
–Interviewing Skills Class (January). This class offers one-on-one practice interviewing sessions and constructive feedback. Registration information will go out in late November.
The need: Admittance to college is difficult. The Ohio State University admitted students have an average ACT score of 28. Miami University admitted students have an average score of 26 and a selective private school in Ohio like Case Western has an average ACT of 30. Every point on the ACT is vital and can make a difference in the amount of scholarship money a student receives.
Results: The demand so far has been extremely high and parents are enthusiastic about this opportunity for their children. Since FHFE began offering the practice PSAT in 2013, the Forest Hills School District has had a 800% increase in the number of students receiving National Merit recognition.
Destination Imagination
Destination Imagination (DI) is a national program in which students-
- Learn higher order analytical skills including creative thinking, critical thinking and collaborative problem solving
- Experience the creative process while working together in a group setting
- See that learning is FUN
- Identify, celebrate and develop their strengths through team building
The Foundation pays the cost of Destination Imagination teams at the six elementary schools and Nagel. These costs include school coordinator stipends, team manager materials, and entrance fees.
The need: Our students are preparing to enter the global marketplace. They will require a new, dynamic skill set in order to compete successfully. Traditional education is in urgent need of complementary programs focused on teaching students how to become world-class innovators and critical thinkers. Destination Imagination addresses that need. Participants learn a remarkable set of skills, tools and methods that transforms the way they solve problems for the rest of their lives.
Results: In 2011, researchers from the University of Virginia Curry School of Education conducted an independent research evaluation of the national DI program. The evaluation focused on the program’s effectiveness, impact and participant satisfaction in areas relating to creative problem-solving, creative and critical thinking, teamwork and leadership. Among other findings, the researchers reported, “Students who participated in the activities and tournaments provided by DI outperformed comparable students who had not participated in DI on assessments measuring creative thinking, critical thinking and collaborative problem solving.” Additionally, a study of 600 students was conducted among primary, elementary, junior high and high school students at DI’s Global Finals on the campus of the University of Tennessee in 2011. Researchers sent the results to non-DI personnel for analysis. Of the students polled, 70 percent reported they “do better in school” because of DI, and nearly half reported DI has helped them improve their grades. For more information about this wonderful program go to http://www.destinationimagination.org
After School Access and Enrichment at Nagel
This program provides after-school computer access, tutoring and enrichment every Tuesday & Thursday for Nagel Middle School students. The Foundation pays for the teachers’ stipends and the cost of the buses to transport students home from the tutoring sessions.
The need: Middle school is a critical transition time for students, who often require additional emotional and academic support. The after-school program gives them a supervised environment between the end of the school day and when their parents return home from work. Students can also receive extra tutoring from a certified teacher on subjects with which they may be struggling. In addition, for those students that do not have computers or access to the internet at home, this time allows them to do the research they need to complete assignments. A key component of this program is the bus transportation home because it allows more students to participate.
Results: During the 2017-18 school year 40 to 60 students regularly attended. Students and parents alike have commented that it is an important part of the academic support they receive.
The Foundation looks to raise additional funds so that another day per week can be added.
