Contact Us
Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm
Red Gym, Room 154
716 Langdon Street
Madison, WI 53706
info@morgridge.wisc.edu
608-263-2432
fax: 608-262-0542
Middle and High Schools of Hope Tutoring
Accepting applications for Fall Semester Starting August 24th
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Interested in tutoring? Like working with kids? Join the Urban League of Greater Madison and the Morgridge Center by volunteering as a Middle or High Schools of Hope tutor!!
Schools of Hope is a program which aims to address the gap in academic achievement between African-American, Latino, and Southeast Asian students and their white counterparts in the Madison middle and high schools. We are looking for sensitive, respectful tutors who understand the needs of underachieving students and can establish a trusting working relationship with them. Tutors work around the city of Madison in various schools settings at least an hour each week to guide them in areas of academics including assignment completion, study skills, and time management.
Click here to learn more about our schools!
If you are interested in volunteering, you will need to fill out an cover sheet, volunteer agreement, application, and disclosure statement. All of these materials can be accessed online or picked up at the Morgridge Center in the first floor of the Red Gym. Once you return your completed applications to the Morgridge Center, we will send them along to the Urban League and they will be in contact to set up an interview! Please contact Andrew Schilcher at aschilcher@ulgm.org or (608) 251-8550 x31with any questions.
Don't have transportation? We are pleased to offer cab rides through our Volunteer Transportation Program to most of the Schools of Hope tutoring sites. Vist the Volunteer Transportation Program page for more information .
Don’t worry about being new to tutoring, no prior tutoring experience is necessary! We hold city-wide tutor trainings every semester and provide tutor handbooks as resources. Join us to learn more about tutoring and working with kids!!
Come to the Tutor Trainings and gain important skills for
working with our youth!
Coordinated by the Urban League of Greater Madison, these trainings, staffed by professional facilitators, offer a variety of skills to work on. Uncomfortable with math? Spend an evening learning teaching strategies that work. Unsure of how to create a trusting relationship with your student? Learn creative ways to make students excited to work with you. Haven't had experience working with differig cultural backgrounds? Understand the differences between us and how we can all help each other.
These trainings are not required for becoming a tutor, but are highly encouraged. Come join us!
Fall 2009 Tutor Training Day and Time: TBA
Please contact Andrew Schilcher at aschilcher@ulgm.org or (608) 251-8550 x31with any questions.
Click on a school below to find out more about their programs. You will be surprised at the variety of opportunities they hold! If you find a school you would like to work at, simply write it down as a preference on your application.
Additional schools with Schools of Hope programs: Verona Area High School, Prairie View Middle School (Sun Prairie), LaFollette High School, and Oregon Middle School (Oregon). Please continue to check the website for information updates; otherwise, information about all the schools is provided at the interview.
At Black Hawk Middle School we are committed to helping all students achieve academic excellence and social responsibility within a safe, stimulating environment through:
- a sense of school pride that respects commonalities and differences
- a challenging curriculum that encourages excellence
- a partnership among students, staff, families and the community
- a recognition and response to individual student needs to achieve success for all
It is our goal to have students realize the importance of life-long learning and that they know how to learn. Staff have created special initiatives to assist students who demonstrate need, including:
Extracurricular Participation Opportunities are available stressing intellectual development, and social and emotional growth. According to district data, Black Hawk has a very high extracurricular participation rate. We are instituting a bully-proofing curriculum to ensure a safe environment for all students.
Black Hawk is located on a 10 acre site in the northeast corner of Madison within a residential neighborhood. The campus is shared with Gompers Elementary School and within walking distance to the Cherokee Marsh, an outdoor education facility. There are around 400 students at Black Hawk, distributed across the three grade levels. Average class size is 23.
Cherokee Middle School is home to nearly 600 students. Classes are typically divided by grade, although 7th and 8th graders are occasionally intermixed. The population is diverse with close to 60% minorities, made up primarily of African Americans, Latinos, Hmong and Albanians. There is a Spanish/English bilingual program. All classes are interactive, and the Drama department is quite active, although the AV Club has the record for most awards received. The staff camaraderie and supportive principals make Cherokee a great place to learn and work.
TUTORING OPPORTUNITIES
Schools of Hope
Throughout the school day, the Schools of Hope program places tutors in a variety of settings helping students with their schoolwork. One option is to join a class in it’s typical proceedings, assisting the teacher when necessary and helping students who need extra attention during the lesson. A more intimate setting is the Guided Study option, where tutors work with individual students on their assignments, helping whomever asks for assistance. Finally, tutors also have the option of working individually with students outside of the classroom that need help completing assignments, projects or reading aloud.
After School-Homework Club, Careers
After school at Cherokee we have MSCR programming, which consists of Homework Club and Recreation, followed twice a week by Careers. Tutors are greatly appreciated during Homework Club. These tutors either answer general questions for all students or take an individual student or small group to a more intimate setting to work.
In the Careers program, volunteers help students with their activities, as well as share personal experiences.
Jefferson Middle School provides a very unique learning environment. Students here benefit immensely from a purposefully nurtured communal atmosphere. The nature of the classrooms as well as the community organizations involved in our students’ education and lives distinguish it from other schools. Jefferson students belong to grade level teams that share class spaces divided only by low walls and few doors. While providing distinct areas for each class and grade, the philosophy behind this arrangement is that it provides a more community-oriented setting. It encourages students to interact more often and more broadly with classmates at the same time that it insists that they respect the spaces and agendas of classes in session. We hope that the values imparted here will be lived out by Jefferson students in the greater communities they are a part of, all of whom are represented in Jefferson’s diverse population.
True community spirit is further exemplified by the relationships Jefferson has formed with groups in its neighborhood and the Madison area. Throughout the day Centro Hispano, Urban League of Greater Madison, Madison School and Community Recreation, and Wexford Ridge Neighborhood Center collaborate to promote equal achievement and advance the academic and social development of all students’ through on-site coordinators, volunteer/tutor placement, and our joint after-school programs. These programs utilize volunteers as tutors in homework clubs, keeping the students on track academically and providing them with a chance to interact with a larger community. A club and recreation time follows, affording students the opportunity to join together and celebrate their common interests by participating in social activities, community service, athletics, and instructional courses in everything from skateboarding and beat making to chess and cooking.
Memorial High School Neighborhoods: Working together to build a connection.
Memorial High School is the recipient of a United States Department of Education Smaller Learning Communities grant. The Neighborhoods is an innovative restructuring of our school of 2200 to make it a smaller, more welcoming place for all our students. The school has been divided into four Neighborhoods and each has its own student government system.
The Neighborhood concept draws upon the real world experience of Madison's own neighborhoods. As successful self-government entities, Madison's city neighborhoods provide a model for the development of a social fabric, a governing structure, and a program of community and service activities. Each neighborhood has its own neighborhood center, which are used for study halls and after school meetings and activities.
Memorial High School is located at the corner of Mineral Point and Gammon Roads across from West Towne Mall. Memorial's 2200 students come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and approximately 100 countries around the globe.
O'Keeffe Middle School serves a diverse school community. O'Keeffe's staff is committed to offering a high quality curriculum with a wide variety of opportunities for student participation both during and after school. The school seeks to provide a welcoming, safe, and orderly environment. The school is an active community member and partner, joining with other groups and organizations that assist students in their transition from childhood to adulthood.
Almost one-fourth of O'Keeffe eighth graders are enrolled in algebra classes. Over 90% of our students take foreign language classes in grades seven and eight. We have extensive after school clubs and activities (30-40) that exist throughout the school year. Our very active Student Council plans school dances, runs the school store, and many school/community activities. Additionaly, our school works closely with the neighborhood Atwood Community Center in providing wholesome activities for our students after school and on weekends.
The school is located on the near east side, nestled alongside the Yahara River and a short walk from Lake Monona. There are 6 academic sections at each grade level averaging 23-25 students. Total school population is 380.
Patrick Marsh Middle School is located about 10-15 miles outside Madison in the city of Sun Prairie. Schools of Hope is only in its second year here and is in desperate need of tutors to help out at least one hour a week! The diversity in the school district is growing more and more each year; we have roughly 660 students in Patrick Marsh, and the district-wide average of minority students in each school is about 22%, which makes the expansion of great programs like Schools of Hope essential.
Again, all we ask is one hour a week, and that can be done either one-on-one or in a small group setting. Students primarily need assistance in Math and Reading, but other things like organization and homework completion are also important. With that said though, the key to a successful tutoring match and/or session is building a strong rapport and trusting relationship with the student(s).
Tutoring is available Monday-Friday, 7:45am to 2:50pm. After school help is also needed in Homework Club, which runs Monday-Thursday, 3pm to 4pm. We look forward to hearing from you!!!!
Sennett Middle School is one of the more unique schools in Madison and in the United States. This year Sennett is home to more than 600 students, with 17% identifying as Latino/a, and 18% as African American. The school is organized though a system of houses, each of which has its own population of 6th-8th grade students. An entering 6th grader will spend his or her entire middle school career in the same house with the same teachers and classmates. This means that students can develop a closer relationship to the school, ultimatly building on a strong sense of academic community. In addition, teachers are more knowledgeable about their students' personal and academic lives and are better equipped to help their students.
Tutoring at Sennett is an extention of the House set-up. The ultimate goal of tutoring is to form a bond between students and their tutors, giving the students a positive role model and a connection to the community. Tutors are assigned to work one-on-one with a student in a specific subject during the day. The afterschool homework club is another opportunity for students to get academic support. The club is divided between the six houses, where students are encouraged to find classmates with the same homework and act as tutors for each other. Tutors also come in during the afterschool time to help students with their work.
Sherman Middle School, named after Roger Sherman, one of the authors and signers of the Declaration of Independence, is located on Madison's north side in a culturally diverse area with a wealth of human resources from many cultures, races, ages, social and economic backgrounds. The sense of community among residents is a special feature of the north side that is recognized by many city leaders.
The staff at Sherman Middle School is dedicated to developing curriculum that actively involves the young adolescent learner and engages every student in applying their knowledge and skills toward topics and issues that are based on curriculum standards, grounded in the interests of young adolescents, and take into consideration the cultures of students.
Sherman Middle School is a positive place where students, staff and parents feel good about the school and where important learning occurs. In order for Sherman Middle School to be a positive place, appropriate behavior is necessary and expected. Misbehavior disrupts the school and the education of students. To this end, the students and staff have developed a P.O.I.N.T. system (which was named by the students and stands for "Possessing Opportunities Inviting Numerous Treats.") The program is intended to increase student awareness of responsible behavior and to regularly show appreciation for students' positive actions.
The average class size in core content area courses and exploratories is 23 students. In elective classes (e.g., music) size is based on student interest.
The mission of Akira Toki Middle School, an inclusive community of involved students, families, and staff, is to assure academic success and personal and social growth of all students through a commitment to provide:
- a safe, nurturing environment where diversity is understood, appreciated and valued;
- a curriculum that is challenging, interactive, differentiated and multicultural;
- shared responsibility through productive partnerships among students, families, staff, and community;
Akira Toki Middle School is located southwest of Madison and serves a diverse population of over 600 students. The ethnicity of our students is identified as 31% African American, 10% Hispanic, and 7% Asian. We have a fairly large ESL program that continues to thrive on the support and presence of our volunteer tutors. Volunteer tutors also support students academically in the classrooms and after school in one of our three grade specific homework clubs. If a volunteer is here for the after school homework club, then we try to encourage them to stay for the recreation portion of the program because it helps to build relationships and it’s a lot of fun. Volunteering at Toki Middle School is unique because of the diversity in students, staff, and learning styles. Everyone learns and benefits positively from the support and presence of the volunteer tutors here at Toki Middle School!
THE SCHOOL
Located only a few blocks from Randall Stadium, near the University of Wisconsin, West High School is a comprehensive four-year high school with a current enrollment of 2,107 students that come from various social, economic, and cultural backgrounds. West has a large international population, and the students at West come from various parts of the world, ranging from Centro America and South America to Europe, Asia and Africa. The school is one of the top high schools in the greater Madison area with the focus in high education.
THE PROGRAM
ASPIRA, which means aspire, is an academic after school program for Latin students. Our aim is to encourage students to participate and set goals to do better in school. To do that we have established a tutoring program that does not only provides tutoring, but also promotes cultural and educational activities to promote academic achievement while preventing gang involvement, alcohol and other drug abuse.
Tutoring and participation in other educational activities happen Monday through Thursday, either during the student's study hall, learning lab, classroom periods, or after school. ASPIRA meets after school from 3:45 to 5:00pm in Room 235.
Whitehorse Middle School is a progressive community of student and adult learners. We assure academic success and personal growth for all students through a commitment to provide:
- a challenging, meaningful and multicultural curriculum
- a safe, nurturing environment where diversity is valued
- shared responsibility through productive parent and community partnerships
- an exchange of ideas among students, parents, and community
Whitehorse is located on 12 acres of open space within a surrounding residential neighborhood. Of note is the school's proximity to Olbrich Botanical Gardens and Lake Monona. There are 5 academic sections of 6th, 7th and 8th grade, with classes averaging 25 students. Total student population is around 400.
Advanced math is offered at 8th grade (accelerated algebra). A comprehensive Back on Track Program (academic recovery) is required for all students not meeting minimum academic expectations. Features of the program include case manager/adult advocates and homework club.
James C Wright Middle School is a social action charter school with a culturally rich student population. Although the majority of students at James C Wright are African American and Hispanic, JCW also has students ranging from Caucasian, SE Asian, Other Asian, Native American and multicultural backgrounds. JCW has a large percentage of students of disadvantaged economic standing and students coming from families that use English as a second language.
James C Wright's biggest need for Schools of Hope tutors is for a program called MYCAP on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:15 -4:15. MYCAP, or Multicultural Youth Career Awareness Project, is an after school homework and career development club. Most days the kids come in, and we do homework. The setting is relaxed, but the expectation is to get the homework done in a thoughtful way. In an effort to better prepare tutors to be homework helpers, we are inviting tutors to come an hour earlier to sit in on a regular school day classroom to learn the subject material before MYCAP. This is only one of many placements that are available for volunteering at James C Wright as a Schools of Hope Tutor. There are many other days and times to become involved. For example many SOH tutors read individually or in small groups with students from our Read 180 course.