SEED Foundation
 | |
| Founded | 1997 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Eric Adler Rajiv Vinnakota |
| Type | Private foundation (IRS status): 501(c)(3) |
| Location | |
| Method | Public-Private Funding |
Key people | Lesley Poole, Dwight Crawford, Vincena Allen |
| Website | www.seedfoundation.com |
The SEED Foundation (also often referred to as the SEED Schools) is a private foundation, established in 1997 to provide boarding school college-preparatory educational opportunities to underserved students.[1][2]
In 2002, the SEED School of DC received a $100,000 grant from Oprah Winfrey's Angel Network for the construction of new dormitory facilities.[3] In 2010, the SEED schools were featured on 60 Minutes[4] and the Washington D.C. school is featured in the 2010 documentary film Waiting for "Superman".[5]
Schools
The SEED schools are boarding schools serving disadvantaged students located in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Miami.[6] The schools integrate "a rigorous academic program with a nurturing boarding program, which teaches life skills and provides a safe and secure environment."[7] The students live in campus dormitories during the week in order to provide students with a uniform residential experience.[8]
Washington D.C.
The SEED School in Washington, D.C., opened in 1998, has an enrollment of 320 students from sixth through twelfth grades. The school serves students from across Washington, D.C. The majority of SEED students live in the Southeast, Washington, D.C. neighborhood.
The D.C. school has been called successful with "91 percent of ninth graders go on to graduate and 96 percent of graduating seniors are accepted to four-year colleges". The SEED school in Washington D.C. was visited by U.S president Barack Obama in April 2009, where the president also hosted a bill signing ceremony to enact a national service act.[9] The school was also visited by Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.[10]
Maryland
The SEED School of Maryland, opened in August 2008, draws students from across the state. The school currently has an enrollment of 400 students from sixth through twelfth grades. The school is full of true wonders. They offer help to the young people who don't get the help that they need or want. The school's first class of seniors graduated in May 2015.[11][12]
Miami
The SEED School of Miami opened in August 2014 on the Florida Memorial University (FMU) campus in Miami Gardens. It serves 97 sixth- and seventh-graders from all over South Florida in a safe and secure 24-hour environment.[13]
Other schools
SEED has announced plans to expand with additional schools in other U.S. cities.[14]
Lad Lake met with SEED Foundation officials when they were planning their own charter school.[15]
References
- ^ SEED Foundation History (organization website)
- ^ Andrew Carr Moral imperative August 5, 2010 Post Journal
- ^ The SEED Public Charter School. The Angel Network, 2002
- ^ How the SEED School Is Changing Lives. CBS's 60 Minutes
- ^ The Children of Waiting For "Superman". The Oprah Winfrey Show, September 20, 2010
- ^ http://www.seedfoundation.com/index.php/seed-schools/south-florida
- ^ SEED School (Washington, DC). Harvard University Service Break Profile
- ^ Hope in the Unseen. New York Times, May 25, 2008
- ^ Obama Visits SEED School, Signs National Service Act. Washington Post, April 22, 2009
- ^ Royal Couple Find Friends at White House and a School. New York Times, November 3, 2005
- ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/03/opinion/thomas-l-friedman-planting-seeds-in-baltimore.html
- ^ Grand Opening Planned For Md. SEED School. WJZ, Oct 15, 2008
- ^ http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article2590422.html
- ^ MARY BRUCE Taking a Chance; Public Boarding School Reaps Great Success. ABC News, June 9, 2010
- ^ Lad Lake wants boarding school Milwaukee Business Journal, July 26, 2010
- The Inner-City Prep School Experience. New York Times Magazine, September 25, 2009
- America's Most Amazing Schools #8 - SEED Schools. Ladies Home Journal
- THE SCHOOL ISSUE: HIGH SCHOOL; A Different Kind of Prep School. New York Times Magazine, September 27, 2009
- Kingman Park Fights a School Many Praise; SEED Facility Counts Mayor, Oprah Among Supporters. The Washington Post, May 7, 2006
- SEED School gains with $100,000. Washington Times, December 1, 2005
- SEED's Harvest. Washington Post, June 30, 2004
- Planting a Seed at D.C. School. Roll Call, November 7, 1997
External links
- The SEED Foundation (website)