Presented at the 2013 NPEA conference by: SMART http://educational-access.org/npea_conference_workshops_2013.php

1. Supporting Underrepresented Students in Independent
Schools: Valuable Best Practices
Ben Buis
Director of Operations & Academic Programs
Erin Gevertz
Director of Placement Services & Student Support

2. Content
9:45 – 9:50 Introduction & Objectives
Why Diversity Matters in Independent
9:50 – 10:00
Schools
10:00 – 10:20 Challenges for Underrepresented Students
10:20 – 10:40 Solutions & Strategies
10:40 – 10:50 Best Practices & SMART Blueprint
10:50 – 10:55 SMART Profile & Impact
10:55 – 11:00 Q&A

3. Objectives
• Participants will clarify and affirm why having inclusive & diverse
communities in independent schools is a priority.
• Participants will identify and dialogue about the challenges facing
underrepresented students & families in independent schools.
• Participants will walk away with a blueprint of suggested strategies
and solutions in order to address the challenges facing
underrepresented students & families in independent schools.
• Participants will learn how, through partnership, SMART assists
independent schools in identifying and supporting
underrepresented students at their schools.

4. Content
9:45 – 9:50 Introduction & Objectives
Why Diversity Matters in Independent
9:50 – 10:00
Schools
10:00 – 10:20 Challenges for Underrepresented Students
10:20 – 10:40 Solutions & Strategies
10:40 – 10:50 Best Practices & SMART Blueprint
10:50 – 10:55 SMART Profile & Impact
10:55 – 11:00 Q&A

5. The Value Add of Diversity
• Think, Pair, Share Activity
– Why should an independent school want to include
underrepresented students & families in their
community?
– What do underrepresented students & families bring
to their school communities?

6. Content
9:45 – 9:50 Introduction & Objectives
Why Diversity Matters in Independent
9:50 – 10:00
Schools
10:00 – 10:20 Challenges for Underrepresented Students
10:20 – 10:40 Solutions & Strategies
10:40 – 10:50 Best Practices & SMART Blueprint
10:50 – 10:55 SMART Profile & Impact
10:55 – 11:00 Q&A

7. What are the challenges facing underrepresented students
in independent schools?
• Breakout Activity
– Break out into 5 groups.
– Brainstorm some challenges students from
underrepresented communities might face in
independent school settings.
– Each group will provide specific examples of
challenges.
– Challenges will be shared with the whole group.

8. Challenges Facing Underrepresented Students
1. Financial
2.
5. Racial Academic
3. Social &
4. Cultural
Emotional

9. Examples of Challenges
Examples of challenges underrepresented students face at
independent schools that SMART has seen:
• Financial challenge – 6th Grade Asian boy wants to play on the basketball team. He
requires sports goggles but his family can‘t afford them. Also, because his father works on
Saturdays, he doesn‘t have reliable transportation to games.
• Language challenge– Spanish and Cantonese translators are required at parent/teacher
meetings and on school tours. School does not have translators or history of bringing them
in.
• Culture challenge– 8th grade African American girl is kicked out of class and suspended
from school for lip-smacking and eye-rolling in the classroom. Teacher and Administrator
feel completely disrespected.
• Race challenge – 6th grade African American girl is told by an Asian boy in her humanities
class that her grades don‘t matter because she‘ll be ―on the corner smoking dope‖
anyways. The following day the African American girl asks ―did you just say that because of
the color of my skin?‖ to which the boy responds, ―Yes.‖ After peacemaking between the two
students, a discussion begins between school administrator and CBO. Primary
conversation points are:
The boy‘s understanding of what he said. Does he ‗get it‘? Does he understand the
implications of his statement? Did the girl provoke the second comment? Is she
being provocative?
• Institutional Practices challenge – 7th Grade Latino boy is having trouble focusing in
class and isn‘t completing homework. After multiple tests diagnose no learning disabilities,
the student‘s advisor continues to run more tests, even asking the doctors to re-run tests.

10. Examples of Challenges
1.Financial • Navigating a more rigorous • Reconciling the two
academic environment. worlds the students are
• Understanding and living in (―Code-
accepting different Switching‖).
5. Racial 2.Academic
expectations in and out of • Making new friends with
the classroom. peers from privileged
• Parents unable to backgrounds.
financially or resourcefully • Having pride in their
provide tutors, learning accomplishments vs.
3. Social & specialists, therapists, etc. shame of being the
4. Cultural
Emotional • Language barriers prevent ―scholarship student.‖
parents from connecting • Family doesn‘t use
with teachers. technology to
• Less homework help at communicate with
• Understanding access to home; parents have less school.
financial aid to offset high tuition formal education than • Getting to school –
costs. those of independent students take more
• Navigate financial aid forms. school peers. than one bus to arrive.
• Keeping track of ―Extra‖ costs • Students have lowered • Student is called on to
outside of tuition. academic and social be the ―expert‖ for their
expectations for students ethnic group in class.
on scholarship than their

11. Strategies to Support Underrepresented Students
Financial Challenges
Financial Strategies

12. Strategies to Support Underrepresented Students

13. Strategies to Support Underrepresented Students

14. Content
9:45 – 9:50 Introduction & Objectives
Why Diversity Matters in Independent
9:50 – 10:00
Schools
10:00 – 10:20 Challenges for Underrepresented Students
10:20 – 10:40 Solutions & Strategies
10:40 – 10:50 Best Practices & SMART Blueprint
10:50 – 10:55 SMART Profile & Impact
10:55 – 11:00 Q&A

15. What are solutions & strategies to support underrepresented
students in independent schools?
• Breakout Activity
– Continue working in the 5 groups.
– Brainstorm some solutions and strategies that will
help to resolve the challenges underrepresented
students face at independent schools.
– Each group will provide specific solutions to the list of
challenges presented by the group in the last activity.
– Solutions will be shared with the whole group.

16. Strategies to Support Underrepresented Students
1. Financial
2.Academi
5. Racial
c
3. Social &
4. Cultural
Emotional

17. Strategies to Support Underrepresented Students
Financial Challenges
Financial Strategies

18. Strategies to Support Underrepresented Students

19. Strategies to Support Underrepresented Students

20. Content
9:45 – 9:50 Introduction & Objectives
Why Diversity Matters in Independent
9:50 – 10:00
Schools
10:00 – 10:20 Challenges for Underrepresented Students
10:20 – 10:40 Solutions & Strategies
10:40 – 10:50 Best Practices & SMART Blueprint
10:50 – 10:55 SMART Profile & Impact
10:55 – 11:00 Q&A

21. Best Practices for Financial Challenges
• True Full Scholarships – Schools provide tuition assistance including
aid for all mandatory field trips, laptops, lunch, uniforms, music lessons,
sports uniforms, transportation.
• Identify Potential “Extra” Costs – camping gear, sporting equipment,
tickets to school-wide events, passport fees
• Schools Value a Diverse and Inclusive Learning Environment -
an investment into their community that is valued from Head of school to the
parent community. Schools are not only providing service to the students,
the students are also viewed as providing a service to the school and its
student body.
• Annual Fund Giving – parents educated about the importance of 100%
giving (not really about the amount) & SMART guarantees that 100% of
current families give to their school ($5-$35 a year)
• Partnerships – with scholarship-only programs (BASIC Fund) or
placement only programs (A Better Chance)

22. Best Practices for Academic Challenges
• Academic Summer Enrichment Program – bridge the summer
learning gap
• After School Program - out of school learning time is essential, and
provides a safe learning environment outside of schools.
• Tutors – recruit dedicated, committed and caring volunteers and offset
their lack of skills in teaching with training and continued support.
• Faculty Liaison – partner schools must provide a liaison to be an
advocate for our students and to ensure SMART is involved in having an
active voice in supporting our students.
• Parent Education, Advocacy, and Support – to ensure effective
communication within schools and to ensure they feel confident to demand
the most from schools.
• College Bound Culture – building effective peer cohorts that travel
together to college.
• Tailored Support – every student has different needs and strengths,
individually track each student and ensure the right placement into schools.

23. Best Practice for Social/Emotional Challenges
• Separate After School Program Location – purposefully located not
in a school setting to ensure a safe and open learning environment
• Peer Support (Shared Experiences & Backgrounds) – students
meet other students (various grade levels, other independent schools) with
similar backgrounds but have shared experiences of transition
• High School Scholars and College Alumni - are active members of
our community and become role models for middle school scholars
• Life-skills, Leadership, and Self-advocacy Curriculum – ensuring
their voices/questions are heard within the school community
• House Visits – by a dedicated faculty advocate at their schools are highly
encouraged so that schools understand where the students are coming
from
• Trained & Dedicated Mentors – exposure to new ideas, experiences,
career paths

24. Best Practices for Schools
• Important Questions for Schools
– Does the school have a dedicated, administrative level Diversity
Director position to help lead mission-driven change?
– Are students taught to be empowered about their diversity, and
explore issues on social justice?
– Is the teaching staff engaged & empowered on issues of
diversity?
– What professional development opportunities related to issues of
diversity and cultural competency are available for faculty and
staff?
– Does school leadership place equity at the center both in terms
of daily and long-term work?
– Is the school actively reaching out to ensure underrepresented
families are invested and involved in the school community?
– Has the school set realistic goals, and ensured assessment and
accountability procedures are in place?

25. Best Practices for Successful Partnering
CBOs Must: Schools Must:
- educate and empower families - help educate and empower
families
- provide & build community/peer
support
- remember and provide for the
- be a strong advocate for students hidden costs that exist at their
and families schools
- encourage and provide - continual professional
professional development at development to better support
partner schools for supporting students and families
students
- set high expectations for students - provide a specific point person in
the school to help maintain the
- provide a safe, trusting place for partnership
students to thrive
- set high expectations for
- engage in consistent and honest underrepresented students
dialogue with partner schools
- provide multi-cultural curriculum

26. The SMART Blueprint: ―Know the kids, find the best fit, build
community and affirm identity.‖
Know the Kids Find the Best Fit Build Community and
Affirm Identity
• Have strong recruiting • Director of Placement
Services – dedicated role
• Small student numbers
criteria better ensure intimate
• Application in multiple • 21 partner schools— relationships and
languages provide range of options
for students tailored support
• Work directly with • Close relationships with • College bound cohorts
public schools schools, constant • After school
• Strong ties to communication with programming (this
community through liaisons cohort of students
families and CBOs • One-on-one meetings operates, essentially,
• Application as self- with families about as an affinity group)
selector options • Tutors and Mentors
• Importance of family • Assistance with school • SMART presence at
commitment and financial applications parent-teacher
• Selection Events • Serve as strong meetings
advocates for placement
• Get to know the • Family help -- Taxes
students at summer • Translators provided and financial aid
programming • Accompaniment on tours • College Access
• Agreement on final school Program
choice
• Alumni Advisory Board
• Parent financial
workshops

27. Content
9:45 – 9:50 Introduction & Objectives
Why Diversity Matters in Independent
9:50 – 10:00
Schools
10:00 – 10:20 Challenges for Underrepresented Students
10:20 – 10:40 Solutions & Strategies
10:40 – 10:50 Best Practices & SMART Blueprint
10:50 – 10:55 SMART Profile & Impact
10:55 – 11:00 Q&A

28. SMART builds individual success stories, one student
at a time.
SMART‘s mission is to provide motivated, financially
disadvantaged students with the educational opportunities,
personal experiences and social support services to foster
academic excellence and community engagement.

29. SMART engages all aspects of the community to
ensure effective results for our students
Motivated students are referred to SMART recruits scholars,
SMART by our community partners navigates the admissions process,
including San Francisco public provides academic support, college
elementary schools and access services, and connects all
community-based organizations scholars, partners, and volunteers.
such as the Jamestown
Community Center and Mission
Graduates.
Volunteers, representing all SMART works closely with
professional sectors, tutor independent partner schools
and mentor SMART to ensure that SMART scholars
scholars, providing ongoing are thriving in their new
academic and emotional academic and social settings.
support.

30. Motivated, under-served youth in San Francisco face
challenging opportunity gaps
More students of color are dropping
Low-income students, on average,
out of high school and are not
are not academically prepared.
college-ready.
• 2/3 of 8th graders are scoring below • Percentage of minority groups dropped
grade level in reading and math out of San Francisco public high
schools in 2009-2010: Latino, 22.7%;
• Students who don‘t pass the 6th and Asia/Pacific Islanders, 25%; and African
8th grade state tests have only a 1 in 6 American, 33.9%
chance of graduating high school
• Of the San Francisco public high school
• On ACT College readiness graduates, only 25.4% of African-
benchmarks, less than 1 in 5 low- Americans and 32.6% of Latinos
income students were academically completed courses required for state
prepared to succeed in the four major college admissions
subject areas
Students who are the first in their families to go to
college end poverty in their family lines forever.
Source:2007 California Dept of Education, 2005 National Assessment of Educational Progress Report. US Dept. of Labor

31. SMART‘s collaborative model narrows the opportunity
gap and strives to break the cycle of poverty
Academic
Programs
Placement College
Services Access
SMART advocates for the student via
multiple touch points

32. SMART‘s web of wrap-around services and support
ensures student success
• Recruits from 40+ referral partners.
• Provides Individualized independent school
advocacy and placement.
Placement • Assists in financial aid process.
Services • Educates and empowers families.
• Navigates high school admissions process.
• Provides rigorous academic support through
structured afterschool and summer programs.
• Leverages school partnerships to monitor and track
Academic academic progress to ensure success.
Programs • Individually assigned tutoring and mentoring.
• Ongoing family support, including workshops and
translation services.
• School-year support and tracking of academic
progress.
• Structured workshops freshman through senior year.
• College, major, and career exploration opportunities.
• One-on-one college counseling.
College • Assists with course selection and SAT preparation.
Access • Navigates college application and financial aid
process.
• Cultivates community service and engagement
opportunities.
• Internship and extra-curricular assistance and

33. Our Impact: Our proven results demonstrate
effectiveness
SMART serves 165
Over the past 7 years,
students per year, Since 1997, SMART
100% of our 8th grade
with a plan to expand has secured over $9
graduates have
services to 500 million dollars in enrolled in strong
students a year scholarships for our
college preparatory
over the next five scholars.
high schools.
years.
92% of SMART
With support from our
college-age scholars
tutors and our
80% of our are pursuing structured academic
volunteer tutors secondary program, the average
and mentors return educations including GPA for current
for a second year. top universities like
SMART scholars is
Yale, Columbia, and
3.3.
UC‟s.

34. SMART delivers cost-effective services and
programming with its diverse funding structure
In 2011-2012 SMART middle school students received:
• $775,035 in direct scholarships from SMART partner schools
• $41,600 from The BASIC Fund (Bay Area Scholarships for
Inner-City Children) to help cover tuition costs.
• $35,250 in additional expenses for activities like music
lessons, field trips, etc. covered by partner schools.
• PLUS: Application fee waivers, transportation, and summer
enrichment programming and more!
In 2011-2012 SMART „s College Access Program Scholars
received:
• $11,000 in high school application fee waivers
• $7,500 in application fee waivers for college admissions.
• $100,000 in high school program placements such as College
Track, and Summer Search.
• $10,500 in free SAT prep courses.
• $925,000 in private high school scholarships obtained
through SMART‘s financial aid application assistance.
SMART‟s estimated cost per student for the 2011-2012 year
is $3,655.

35. Our Impact: Hear from our students
―All the opportunities that I have been fortunate
enough to pursue are a direct result of the
encouragement and support that I received
from SMART.‖
-- Jimmy Ouyang,
SMART 2006
Columbia University, 2010
―SMART led me onto a path to success. I had no idea how
much the program would change my future. I owe my
academic success to the SMART program. The program
showed me that if I tried I could achieve my goals. I would not
be here today without the help of the SMART program.
There are way too many memories to recall here but to sum it all
up; it was a life-changing experience and I loved it.‖
Jackie Chen, SMART 2011

36. Our Impact: Hear from our partners and volunteers
―I am proud of Hamlin‟s commitment to SMART. The
beauty of SMART is that it guides both individuals and
institutions like Hamlin on their path to greatness. And for
that, I thank SMART from the bottom of my heart. I promise that
Hamlin will be a faithful partner as long as I am at the helm.‖
-- Wanda Greene, Head of School, Hamlin School
―Volunteering at SMART allows me to grow
personally and develop stronger and
emotional ties to San Francisco.‖
-- Jared Rodecker, Volunteer Tutor
―Volunteering at SMART is the best way to
give back and a great way to get to know a
terrific kid.‖
-- Sara Lindeman, Volunteer Mentor

37. Content
9:45 – 9:50 Introduction & Objectives
Why Diversity Matters in Independent
9:50 – 10:00
Schools
10:00 – 10:20 Challenges for Underrepresented Students
10:20 – 10:40 Solutions & Strategies
10:40 – 10:50 Blueprint & Best Practices
10:50 – 10:55 SMART Profile & Impact
10:55 – 11:00 Q&A

38. Contact SMART
Ben Buis - Director of Operations & Academic Programs
(415) 865-5400
ben@thesmartprogram.org
Melanie Rogers - Director of Development
(415) 865-5400
melanie@thesmartprogram.org
Nonoko Sato - Executive Director
(415) 865-5400
nonoko@thesmartprogram.org