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LEAD 2005
Ryan Wissner (above), 2005 LEAD & GVSU graduate, now plans to attend medical school.
LEAD (Let Education Answer Dreams)
In 1991, the Foundation “adopted” a class of 54 fifth graders in a core-city elementary school with a promise of college tuition following high school graduation. Through the services of a full time coordinator who provided training, mentoring and individual attention to both the students and their families, significant improvement of the students’ educational outcomes was achieved.
Of the original 54 students, 36 either graduated or obtained a GED by June of 2000 (67% of the class, compared with 45% of the comparison class). Twenty-four LEAD students enrolled in post high school education compared to three from the comparison class. Eight LEAD 98 students completed college degrees. To this day, the lessons we learned through LEAD 98 continue to guide our thinking about how we can improve life for our community’s children.
Building on the initial LEAD 98 success, in 1999 a GEAR UP grant was awarded by the federal government’s Department of Education. This six-year project, named LEAD 2005, allowed the Foundation and its project partners to expand the effort to an entire class of 220 7th graders at the City of Muskegon Bunker Middle School, again with the promise of post secondary education following high school completion. This time the Community Foundation worked in partnership with Muskegon Public Schools, Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, Child and Family Services, Muskegon Community College, Baker College and Grand Valley State University. The Federal GEAR UP grant brought $1,051,200 to Muskegon over six years. The Community Foundation contributed approximately $330,000 over the six years of program. In addition, the Community Foundation is providing “last dollar” scholarships with an estimated value of $850,000 over four years, for the 113 LEAD 2005 students who have chosen to attend one of the three partner colleges.
Additional Resources about the LEAD programs
Read more about LESSONS LEARNED from the LEAD '98 and 2005 programs (pdf)
Final LEAD 2005 report (power point)
2005 Report to the Community pg. 1 (as printed in the Muskegon Chronicle)
2005 Report to the Community pg. 2 (as printed in the Muskegon Chronicle)
2005 Report to the Community pg. 3 (as printed in the Muskegon Chronicle)
2005 Report to the Community pg. 4 (as printed in the Muskegon Chronicle)
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