Unlocking academic success for all

Discover how Ready for School is supporting the Pinellas Education Foundation in its mission to enhance academic achievement.

In partnership with various organizations and nonprofits, the Ready for School program is a Raymond James initiative focused on supporting children inside the classroom, outside the classroom and beyond the classroom.

One of those partner organizations, the Pinellas Education Foundation, aims to help students realize their potential through programs that cover the “bookends of learning” – from early literacy intervention to strengthening college and career readiness.

CEO of the Pinellas Education Foundation, Kim Jowell, said “Everything we do is rooted in our mission of increasing academic achievement for all students. Our long-term goals include closing achievement gaps, expanding access to post-secondary education and career opportunities and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to benefit from a high-quality education.”

Educating and mentoring

By investing in academic readiness with long-term support, Pinellas Education Foundation and Ready for School pursue the common goal of empowering every student to reach their full potential.

The Pinellas Education Foundation offers several impactful programs, including:

• Lunch Pals – a mentoring initiative in partnership with Pinellas County Schools that pairs a student with an adult from the local community for 30 minutes per week, providing a consistent, caring role model to support students in their personal and academic lives.
• Take Stock in Children (TSIC) – primarily targeting sixth through 12th grade students, this mentorship and scholarship program helps students who face economic hardship or other risk factors overcome challenges with one-to-one mentoring, college readiness coaching and a two-year Florida Prepaid Scholarship upon high school graduation.

Mentorship helps bridge the gap between academic learning and personal growth; educators across the county see the value of that and are often huge advocates for mentorship.

As Jowell shared, “our Take Stock in Children program has an incredible 99% high school graduation rate. Students earn higher GPAs and go on to pursue college and career opportunities with real momentum. That success is thanks in large part to the volunteer mentors who meet with their students twice a month to support, guide and help them recognize their potential.”

Private Client Group President and board member of Pinellas Education Foundation, Tash Elwyn, reflected on his experience: “one of the most fulfilling aspects of my involvement with the foundation has been witnessing the real-world impact of the Take Stock in Children initiative. Seeing how investment in our local students readies them for college and beyond makes it all worthwhile.”

Ready Set Algebra

Through Ready for School, support from Raymond James has helped fund the newer Ready Set Algebra initiative, which is designed to increase the number of Pinellas County students who successfully complete Algebra 1 by ninth grade.

Ready Set Algebra takes a three-pronged approach to student development. Student tutoring, teacher development and school day enrichment activities combine to make math more engaging and interactive for learners, all while deepening their understanding of foundational concepts in math.

“It was inspiring to see students put their math skills to the test at a High School Algebra Bowl,” said Jowell. “Fun, challenging and great preparation for the Algebra 1 exam. This competition had it all.”

A difference for the long-term

Elwyn put it simply: “Raymond James deeply understands that investing in education is an investment in the future of our community.”

Jowell echoed the sentiment: “Our work is only possible with partners and donors like Raymond James. Our partnership with Raymond James is critically important to advancing our mission, and is a great example of the positive impacts that are possible when community partners help invest in education and mentoring young people.”

Mentorship plays a vital role in student success – academically, it builds resilience, self-belief and goal-setting skills. Personally, it gives students the one thing every young person needs: a consistent, trusted adult who believes in them.

As Jowell said, “our mentors change lives. Sometimes, the difference between a student staying on track or slipping through the cracks is just one caring adult. When you mentor, you’re not just giving your time, you’re creating a support system and helping shape a brighter future for a young person in our community.”

Want to get involved? Learn more about the Pinellas Education Foundation at pinellaseducation.org. Interested in becoming a mentor? Visit pinellaseducation.org/mentor.

Pinellas Education Foundation is one of 11 Ready for School organizations making a difference in the lives of students across Tampa Bay. Discover more at raymondjames.com/ready-for-school.

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