Model and Strategy
SMASH Academy provides underrepresented youth of color from low-income backgrounds with a three-year summer learning program, including academic workshops, mental health awareness, and graduation support. What sets apart SMASH Academy from other high school STEM programs is our dedication to transforming the lives of individuals through a holistic approach. Our project-based curriculum incorporates rigorous STEM coursework, mentorship, and social emotional learning, within a social justice framework.
Over the course of three years, SMASH Academy invests 1,000 hours of personalized education, taught by people of color from our scholars' community. SMASH Academy aims to prevent the “summer slide” - the tendency for students, especially those from low-income families, to lose some of the achievement gains they made during the previous school year.
SMASH successfully switched to a virtual learning model last year, with a greater emphasis on social emotional learning and ensuring the students had access to the resources necessary for distance learning, while still providing them with the STEM programming they lack in their regular academic education.
Impact
The COVID-19 pandemic has heavily affected our SMASH scholars and their families. Most of our SMASH scholars come from low-income communities of color that are being disproportionately affected by this pandemic, and the subsequent distance learning. Their families are experiencing increased financial and health risks due to a loss of employment, loss of health insurance, unstable housing, and less access to nutritious foods. During this uncertain time, SMASH aims to serve as a consistent and supportive presence in the lives of scholars as they pursue their STEM education by providing laptops, ensuring internet connectivity, establishing one-on-one check ins, and providing monetary stipends.
From high school through college, SMASH is moving our participants through the tech pipeline by ensuring STEM exposure through hands-on engagement with project-based curriculum, networking with STEM professionals, and site visits to a variety of STEM-related facilities.
Currently, our scholars have achieved success in their academic careers as measured by:
+ Over 95% remain in the program for its 3-year duration
+ 100% of our students have graduated from high school or equivalent (higher than the national average of 85%, and the Black/Latinx average of 79%)
+ 85% of our alumni graduate college within 5 years of high school graduation (higher than the national average of 55%, and the Black/Latinx average of 42%)
SMASH Academy has proven to be a successful program, and if we continue to maintain high levels of impact on our students, we can see results such as:
- Over 95% gain entry into a 4-year institution;
- Over 75% graduate college with a degree in STEM;
- Over 50% work full-time in a STEM field;
- Over 40% pursue an advanced degree in STEM.
Leadership
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Danielle Rose
CEO