Alpha Chapter Project
Mission Statement
Our Vision
Although there are numerous students who reap the benefits of supplementary SAT preparation, many more do not have this luxury. This is often due to financial difficulty as well as a lack of general knowledge regarding higher education. Alpha Chapter seeks to broaden the educational prospects and horizons of underprivileged high school students by employing college students to instill motivation and dedication towards greater achievement, beginning with academic excellence – specifically, the SATs.
Objectives
Alpha Chapter instructors are volunteers from their respective universities themselves. As current college students, their ability to relate to high school pupils will allow them to become mentors in addition to instructors. They will also provide fundamental skills and information that are not only essential for testing well on the SATs, but also for a success beyond numbers. Students will be instructed in reading, writing, and mathematics, to familiarize them with the SAT format. They will be introduced to the university setting and enabled to cultivate an appreciation for its benefits, characters, and opportunities. Finally, students will receive one-on-one assistance with each step of their college applications.
Goals and Growth
We hope to get students who have never before considered going to college, motivated to pursue higher education. In the process, we hope that the mentors learn to appreciate their roots by recognizing the privileges with which they have been blessed. It is our hope for Alpha Chapter to eventually branch out into other universities and become established as student-run clubs capable of generating their own capital through fundraising events. Through a solid home base with chapters networking nationwide, Alpha Chapter envisions an environment in which students of all backgrounds can have free access to the support and guidance needed to attain aspirations beyond their own expectations.
From the Beginning…
History
Alpha Chapter was established in 2008 by Cobert Kim, founder of its parent school, Alpha Academy (est. 1991). The idea was first formulated upon the realization of the need for former students to apply and reaffirm the life lessons they acquired during high school. This, combined with the knowledge that few families have the means to pay for private tutoring, gave birth to the idea of non-profit one-on-one tutoring as a way to benefit both former and future students.
Demand
There is great demand for a service like Alpha Chapter. Taking the SATs and applying for college are the first steps for a young individual to transition into adulthood and to see what opportunities are available beyond high school. However, due to inadequate guidance programs, many students from low-income families are faced with hardships when taking on these intimidating procedures. Alpha Chapter volunteers, having been through similar difficulties, can facilitate the process and alleviate the anxieties the high school students might have by sharing their own experiences and successes.
Philosophy
Alpha Academy was founded on several principles that have been necessarily instilled in each student every year. Founder Cobert Kim believed that SAT prep should not be simply about mind-numbing drills, which could quickly lead to dampened optimism. Instead, he saw SAT preparation as serving as a chance to learn virtues such as discipline, responsibility, diligence, and dedication – intrinsic values that would ensure true success. Alpha Chapter will be run in accordance with the same principles. Specifically, the Alpha credo emphasizes the following:
First and foremost, Family – parental sacrifices, unity, loyalty,
significance of tradition
Giving back – to help others as you have been helped,
recognition of others’ trials
Identity – understanding one’s strengths & weaknesses,
character, realization of one’s roots
Talents – use one’s gifts, mind one’s flaws
Success – its purpose, sacrifices, extravagance vs. moderation
Operation Structure
Course Overview
The curriculum of each Alpha Chapter class will vary based closely on the SAT program model used by Alpha Academy, a series of private SAT prep schools:
- 58 hours of SAT preparation, taught in seminar-style groups comprised of no more than 6 students per mentor =
- 20 hours of coaching in Critical Reading +
- 12 hours of coaching in Writing and Grammar +
- 10 hours of coaching in Mathematics +
- 4 diagnostic SAT tests
- Workbooks will be provided as part of the program
- Homework will be assigned daily
A minimum of 14 hours of college application and financial aid instruction =
- College selection
- Application process (personal statement)
- Financial aid and scholarships
Classes
Classes will meet in weekly blocks of 2 hours in the evenings. In order to create a familial atmosphere wherein students may focus on their studies and instructors may focus on their pupils’ individual needs, we will attempt to divide classes according to gender and age. Furthermore, because this movement is privately funded and entirely free for the students, it must also be efficient. Mentors will monitor each student’s progress for 5 sessions; if the student does not seem to be a serious learner, then he/she may be excused from the program.
Team
The program will be run by a Program Manager and trained Volunteer Mentors unique to the university where classes are held.
1) Executive Director (May become regional after expansion; until then, job description includes (2) and (3)) -> decides the overall direction of the Alpha Chapter organization
2) Director of Development -> creates general lesson plans to be followed roughly by each branch; creates and fulfills organization objectives; promotion
3) Director of Logistics -> handles expenses and money; delegates times; together with (2), decides on and facilitates expansion
4) Program Manager -> authority on minor issues within own campus (e.g. fundraising, materials, classrooms, recruiting); provides instruction to respective classes
5) Volunteer Mentor -> provides instruction to respective classes Mentors will report to their Managers. Managers will report to their Executive Directors.
Startup
Cost
The program would not cost the university any money. All physical materials will be provided by Cobert Kim. All tutors are volunteers and will receive no payment. Students must find their own way to and from campus.
What We Need
From each college: Rooms to use for roughly 2 hours every week, in the late afternoon. This can be a classroom, a library, or even a common lounge. Anywhere students can study in undisturbed. Environments.
Marketing
For: Prospective Students
- Contact high school counselors and provide them with this plan.
- Create fliers to put up in local schools, YMCA, churches, libraries.
- Word of mouth.
For: Prospective Teachers
- Post fliers around campus advertising the benefits of mentoring, including, but not limited to, leadership, organization, teaching, meeting new people.
- Word of mouth.
What we strive to do…
Alpha takes pride in its teachers making a positive impact on all their students. By cooperating with both students and their parents to design an effective plan to ensure that they are prepared with the skills necessary to succeed.
Address
1500 N Gilbert St, Fullerton, CA 92833
United States
Telephone: (714) 526-9102
Alpha Academy 