All About Chicago Talent
Development Charter High
School
Presentation to AIM High Mentors
Goals of Presentation
Provide
information about our students
Learn about school curriculum, strategy
and supports
Dialogue about best use of mentors
School Transformation Model
Chicago Talent is part of Diplomas Now, an
innovative school turnaround model that
unites three experienced non-profit
organizations – City Year, Communities In
Schools, Center for Talent Development –
to work with the nation’s most challenged
middle and high schools to deliver the right
interventions to the right students at the
right time.
What is Diplomas Now?
Diplomas
Now video
Typical Student
Average
School
Explore Score (2009 freshmen): 12.6
Attendance Rates: 87% daily
attendance (as reported at end of 1st
Quarter)
On average, our students come to us 2
years behind in math and reading
Typical Chicago Talent Student
(cont’d)
%
Free/Reduced Lunch: 98%
Average household income: $22,426
Common neighborhoods where
students reside: West Garfield Park,
Austin, East Garfield Park, North
Lawndale
School Requirements
Requirements
to matriculate to next
grade: must pass 7 of 8 courses
Chicago Talent has more stringent
credit requirements than Chicago
Public Schools
School Curriculum
4
90-minute classes per day
Double dose of math and reading
during first three years
Focus on media and technology
Academic Support
City Year Corps Members offer
after-school tutoring 4 days a week
 Teachers are available for individual
help during weekly office hours

College Readiness
Career
Jump summer programming
What’s Next Illinois
College Unit of Freshmen Seminar
Social Emotional Support
School-wide
Keep
strategies
the Peace
Morning Meetings
Case
Management and group services are
provided by Communities In Schools (CIS)
CIS manages partnerships with community
organizations to provide additional services
(i.e. pregnant & parenting teens)
Keep the Peace strategy
http://www.youtube.com/v/jpGplIoaA5M
Challenges Facing Students
Violence
in Schools/Communities/Homes
 Lacking a true understanding of what it
takes to academically, socially, and
financially get into and out of college
 Lack of intrinsic motivation to do well in
school (this is the $20 million question!)
Our Vision of Mentors’ Roles
How
can the mentors help the
students be successful?
Social
networks
Access to cultural institutions
College “lens”
Instilling
a middle class orientation
to school and college
Where mentors might be
needed most
ACADEMIC
Helping your student be on top of their
homework, providing homework help
Encouraging 3.0+ GPAs
Showing students benefit of working hard,
staying focused and keeping grades up
Get your mentees to read for fun
Where mentors might be
needed most (cont’d)
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL
Listening to your students and asking them
questions
Sharing things about your lives
Working with them on social and
professional skills
Taking them to cultural events of their
liking (and expose them to new things)
Where mentors might be
needed most (cont’d)
COLLEGE SUPPORT
 Talk to them about college, inquire about their
interests and provide opportunities to explore these
interests (i.e. events around the city)
 Start identifying colleges early (arrange local tours
for them)
 Help your student stay on top of applications and
financial aid processes and deadlines
 Offer to write your student a recommendation
Contact Info
AIM
High Program Associate
Rayne
Bozeman raynebozeman@companies-that-care.org
Companies
Lauren
College
Frank
That Care Program Associate
Clennon laurenclennon@companies-that-care.org
Counselor
Pesce fpesce@ctdhs.net
Communities
Paul
In Schools
Fagen, LCSW pfagen@ctdhs.net
Next Steps