What is Project GRAD Cincinnati?
Project GRAD Cincinnati, a community-based nonprofit organization created in 2001, is part of a comprehensive national initiative aimed at improving the success of urban school students to academically achieve, graduate from high school and enter and complete a college education.  It is specifically targeted to support over 2,000 students and nearly 170 teachers, principals and counselors within the Cincinnati Public Schools.

Why Project GRAD Cincinnati?
Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) is in continuous improvement according to the State of Ohio's Department of Education.  Even with this improvement rating, many students still under-perform in reading and math.  High school graduation rate for incoming freshmen has been below 80% in CPS.  By focusing resources of Project GRAD Cincinnati low performing schools we are concentrating on the students most in need.  When our Project GRAD Cincinnati schools improve, the entire district will improve.  Project GRAD Cincinnati's goal is at least 80 percent of all students graduate from high school and 50 percent of those students continue onto higher learning. 

How does Project GRAD Cincinnati Work?
Project GRAD Cincinnati is implementing five program components in five Cincinnati Public Schools (Heberle K-8 School, Ethel M. Taylor Academy, Wm. Howard Taft K-8 School, Whittier K-8 School and Western Hills University High School).  These components provide extensive teacher professional training, academic, counseling and scholarship support for students; and the parent community involvement needed to deliver success for our students.

• MOVE IT™ Math is an innovative program that teaches math principles and skills, using a variety of tools, to students starting in kindergarten, to prepare them for algebra by 8th grade.
• Research based Reading and Writing  - added support for students and teachers to maximize learning opportunities utilizing the districts adopted reading and writing curriculum.
• Consistency Management and Cooperative Discipline® is a program that builds the self-image, responsibility, and self-management skills of children in all grades.
• Campus Family Support is provided to students' families through social services and parent involvement activities to help students solve problems that distract them from learning.
• College Counseling, Summer Institutes and College Scholarships:  For students who maintain a 93 percent high school attendance rate, a minimum of a 2.5 grade point average, attend at least two Summer Institutes on college campuses and complete required coursework, up to $4,000 in college scholarships will be awarded.

Across the country, Project GRAD is generating evidence that it can narrow, and perhaps even close the achievement gap in some of the lowest performing school districts in the country.

Project GRAD Has the Right Ingredients for Success