STORY NO.

09

Making Waves

Our plan

Making Waves Education Program's goal is to provide dedicated students with a program that will ensure that they are prepared for college upon completion. Making Waves Education Program is an eight-year tutoring and teaching program that begins in the fifth grade with follow-up support through the college years. Through rigorous academic preparation, the program ensures that local youth acquire the skills necessary to gain acceptance to and graduate from four year colleges and universities.

What we did

John H. Scully, Managing Director of SPO Partners, and the late Reverend Eugene Farlough, pastor of Sojourner Truth Presbyterian Church, were dissatisfied with the lack of opportunities afforded to less fortunate students. Together, they established Making Waves in 1989 with its "First Wave" of 46 fifth graders from two Richmond elementary schools. The second and third "Waves" were established in the mid-nineties following the expansion of the program's range, which now allows them to add a new "Wave" every fall. In 2001, the program expanded, founding a second location in San Francisco. Currently, Making Waves actively serves more than 650 students from Richmond and San Francisco. The program consists of three different sub-programs that focus on the needs of students at different points in their education. The Middle School Program focuses on reading, writing, vocabulary, math and study skills. Students in grades nine through twelve participate in the High School Program that incorporates individualized study programs, homework help, SAT and ACT preparation, and college and financial aid applications. Once the students begin college, the College Leadership Team serves them on a weekly basis in order to support them both academically and emotionally in order to aid in their transition.

Our results

Making Waves has had phenomenal success with a student retention rate of 89%. Ninety-nine percent of their students graduate from high school and 95% go on to college.

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Olivia Allen
Oakland, CA