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Program to assist city eighth-graders in math and science
The University and Richmond Public Schools announced Feb. 16 a new program to prepare Richmond city schoolchildren for advanced placement and honors classes in math and science. The “Brains Rule!” program will be patterned after “It’s Cool to Be Smart” projects created by Freeman Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Sixty eighth-graders who show academic promise based on SOL scores will be selected to participate each year for the next three years. The program will be funded by a $1 million grant from Philip Morris USA. The company’s chairman and CEO, Michael Szymanczyk, presented a check for the initial portion of the grant to Richmond President Bill Cooper and city schools Superintendent Deborah Jewell-Sherman on Feb. 16. Also recognized were Stephen B. Johnson, chair of the Richmond School Board, and William Harrell, interim city chief administrative officer. During the summer before and after eighth grade, 60 students will attend six weeks of day-long classes at the University, preparing them to take advanced placement science and math courses during the regular school year. The summer session will be taught by experienced local AP teachers, with guest lectures by the University’s science and math professors. Educational field trips and family activities also will be provided. During the regular school year, the students will be tutored three hours a week by Richmond undergraduates and attend special afternoon sessions. |
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