Academic success is essential for both our children’s future and the community’s.  Scholastic achievement has been directly linked to an individual’s quality of life as well as to the prosperity and competitiveness of the community where they live.  The goal of the Sandy Springs Mission is to provide educational support programs to improve the overall academic performance of its participants ultimately laying the foundation for a bright, optimistic future. 

A 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, the Mission is dedicated to helping and inspiring at-risk students from the Sandy Springs community. 

We consider students at-risk if the student comes from a home where:

1. •English is not spoken as the primary language;
   

2. •the parents are not able to help their children with schoolwork because of their own low-level of education;
   

3. •the parents cannot pay for the extra help necessary for their child to succeed in school.
   

Since 2000, the Mission has been working closely with the administrators at High Point and Lake Forrest elementary schools as well as Ridgeview Middle School, to identify students for the Mission’s programs.  Today, the Mission serves more than 60 children each week providing assistance with math, language arts, science and social studies homework. 

The Mission has the facilities to serve more children but is still in great need of donations.  There is a waiting list of children hoping to attend.  Please consider making a contribution.  It will make a lasting impact on a child’s life.

This is a highly effective organization that is making a difference in these children’s lives.  In 2008, two of the first student enrolled in the Mission’s programs graduated from high school and are attending college.  They are the first in their families to attain a high school diploma - an amazing accomplishment.  And, in 2009, we proudly celebrated with another eight Mission alumnae as they also received their diplomas.  Considering the average drop out rate for Latino students exceeds 65%, we see the study skills that are introduced and reinforced in the Mission’s After School Program have a long-lasting, positive effect for our children. 

With the help of our volunteers, the kids truly find new confidence in themselves and are seeing their own grades progressively improve.  But we want more than just letter grade improvement.  The Mission also sets specific goals for its participants’ performance on the state’s CRCT.  Passing the CRCT is required for advancement to the next grade.  The goal for the ’08-’09 school year was to have at least 85% of the Mission’s participants pass.  We are pleased to report 93% of the students passed the CRCT last year.  Of course, we’d like to see 100% move ahead but celebrate each advancement as a victory for the children. 

Each year more and more Mission students achieve new heights in education.  You can brighten a child’s future by volunteering or donating.