Our Second Annual STEM Event (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) was an overwhelming success!

Sponsored by Northside Hospital and partnering with Georgia First, over 1000 of our public school students were exposed to the exciting world of robotics and technology.

You can see highlights of this extraordinary event at www.SandySpringsEducationForce.org.

Now the real work begins - our Annual Community Fund- Raising Campaign has started! As you plan your year-end charitable giving, please keep SSEF in mind. We need your help to continue providing programs that inspire all of our students to stay engaged in school so they can aspire to achieve, graduate and become successful citizens. And this year, we are grateful to have a way for you to double your gift and your impact!Through the kindness of a generous donor, EVERY DOLLAR you give UNTIL DECEMBER 31 will be matched! 

Before you give, these are some important facts to consider:

• Sandy Springs is one of the wealthiest cities in the United States; yet, OVER 50% of our public school children are economically disadvantaged.
• Poverty in our city increases the likelihood that a student will not graduate high school.
• Increased education is directly related to the ability to earn enough to stay out of poverty.  

Here is a small sampling of what SSEF programs are currently doing for our potentially at-risk students:

• Kids stay after school for homework and enrichment: Over 180 middle school students attend After-School All-Stars five days a week.
• High school students go on the college track: Over 40 students, who previously had no plans post-high school, are now going to attend two or four year colleges, or technical schools.
• CRCT scores improve: Science CRCT scores for over 70 students increased by 8% due to an SSEF grant for Gizmos, an interactive math/science inquiry-based computer program. 

Encouraging our kids to graduate and go on to college has major benefits for you and our community:

• Simply lowering the high school student drop-out rate increases economic vitality.
• Finishing college is even more impactful: A college graduate makes 84% more over a lifetime ($2.3 million) than one with only a high school diploma ($1.3 million), up from 75% in 1999.
• The public benefits of attending college include increased tax revenues, greater workplace productivity, increased consumption, and decreased delinquency, crime and reliance on government financial support.

The formula for community prosperity is simple yet powerful: Better schools = Better prepared kids = Increased economic success for all!