ABOUT

Mission

Minneapolis public school students and Minneapolis Mayor, R.T. Rybak, at the Achieve! Career and College Center Grand Opening on November 17, 2006.

To galvanize community resources to help all Minneapolis Public School students succeed in school and become productive members of society.

Our goal is to increase support (dollars, in-kind donations, advice, partnerships, volunteer time, opportunities for young people) of every kind…

From every part of the community (business, labor, government, faith-based groups, nonprofit organizations, foundations, higher education, teachers, parents, students, alumni, and other interested individuals)…

To help students succeed in school (to attend, to learn, to grow, to graduate)…

And to focus on their futures after graduation. 

2006-07 Programs and Initiatives

• The Achieve! Career and College Initiative, launched in January 2006, ensures that all students are provided with exploratory work-based learning opportunities during their high school experience.
• Achieve!Minneapolis develops and implements work-based learning opportunities for youth ages 16-21.  The STEP-UP Summer Jobs Program, funded by the City of Minneapolis and managed by Achieve!Minneapolis, trained and placed more than 1300 youth in summer jobs from 2002 through 2006. 
• Building on the success of the STEP-UP program, Achieve!Minneapolis developed the STEP-UP Work Readiness Credential in conjunction with the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce. The credential is awarded to students who successfully complete work readiness training and a summer job.
• Our Principal for a Day® program offers leaders from business, government, and community organizations an opportunity to shadow Minneapolis Public Schools principals for a day and gain first-hand knowledge of the challenges facing educators and schools and to share their observations with district officials and the community.  This year’s event is scheduled for Thursday, October 11th, 2007. 
• The Minneapolis Younger Youth STEP UP Program places low income 14-15 year olds at public and nonprofit worksites for a nine-week work experience.  To support these students, the Business Partners Mentoring Program links youth with adult mentors from the business community. 
• Star Tribune Community Learning Fund provided one hundred and forty-four teachers and 4,528 students funds to defray costs associated with field trips.
• Achieve!Minneapolis’ Educators in the Workplace Institute – Achieve!Minneapolis has created educators in the workplace institute where 14 high school teachers from 3 Small Learning Communities job shadow people in the community to better understand workplace needs.  The teachers will then adapt their curriculum to better prepare students for their post secondary endeavors.