Through Seattle MESA, students receive educational enrichment experiences and practical help needed to prepare for university-level studies in a variety of science and technology related fields. MESA classes, clubs, after-school programs and summer programs help underrepresented students visualize themselves in college and careers related to mathematics, engineering, and science. Through hands-on math and science activities and field trips, students apply their learning to real-world situations.
Proven Success
Seattle MESA tracks the impact of its programs through student, teacher, and parent surveys and school district data. Of MESA seniors graduating in 2008:
- 96% went on to college
- over 70% are currently attending 4-year universities
Among MESA 9th graders served that year:
- 99% began high school at or above grade level in math
- 90% passed all six freshman-year courses
- 70% finished 9th grade with at least a 3.0 GPA, compared to just 20% of their peers
Use of Best Practices
MESA’s Ninth Grade Bridge program provides summer and school-year support to 8th and 9th graders, helping to ensure that at-risk students make a successful academic transition into high school. Seattle MESA programming incorporates best practices from college-readiness research that emphasizes the importance of individualized academic planning and support, regular exposure to role models and mentors, and parent involvement.
In addition to the instruction and mentoring it provides to students, MESA supports their teachers. MESA works with entire math departments at partner-schools rather than focusing solely on individual teachers. This ensures that all students will benefit from MESA enrichment activities, and minimizes disruptions due to teacher turnover.
Accessibility and Cultural Competency
Seattle MESA is focused on those schools with the highest needs, fewest resources, and most teacher turnover in the Seattle Public Schools. MESA works hard to ensure that its staff and volunteers reflect the diversity of it student population, and that students have multiple opportunities to connect to role models with similar backgrounds.
Sustainability
MESA has weathered recent cuts in state funding by cutting staff positions and paring back its middle and elementary-school programming by approximately 30% (while maintaining full-service levels at partner high schools). MESA’s staff and advisory board are putting greater emphasis on leveraging new and existing partnerships (e.g., school district, UW) to supplement state funding and support long-term sustainability."
Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:
Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:
| Date | Amount | | Purpose |
|---|
| 3/10/2013 |
$10,000.00 |  | support general opperations. | | 6/10/2012 |
$15,000.00 | | support general operating expenses. | | 9/10/2010 |
$20,000.00 | | support general operating expenses. | | 10/1/2008 |
$30,000.00 | | support general operating expenses for Seattle MESA. |
|