Say Yes Four Year Progress Report

Since 2008, Say Yes has been working alongside Syracuse City School District, Syracuse Teachers Association, the City of Syracuse, Onondaga County, Syracuse University, Onondaga Community College, many community-based organizations, and local businesses to ensure that every student in the District has the ability to reach his or her academic potential. From providing comprehensive supports that begin the day a child enters Kindergarten to offering every eligible high school graduate the chance to attend a Say Yes partner college tuition free. Say Yes together with the SCSD are working together to turn things around in our city. As you read the status report below, you can use the links included to find out more about the services that Say Yes & the SCSD provide.

To learn more about Say Yes and their success please visit Syracuse.com or Channel 9 WSYR

Signs of Progress

SCSD District-wide Improvement through Say Yes Programs & Services

• Currently, 5,100 SCSD students are enrolled in Say Yes extended day programs and approximately 2,200 students will attend Say Yes extended year programs this summer
• The number of students leaving after 9th grade decreased by 44 percent from 2009 to 2010
• 31 percent more 9th grade students are passing the algebra Regents exam than in 2009
• Reduced the ratio of students to social workers from 500:1 to 200:1 in all elementary and K-8 schools
• Family support served 342 families and 1,038 children. Since inception, only three children have been placed in foster care or out-of-home placement
• As part of the Promise Zone commitment, SCSD, Say Yes, the Onondaga County Department of Mental Health, and community-based organizations are working toward their collective goal of having one mental health clinic in every school in the district by 2013
• Seven Say Yes Legal Clinics are now open in all quadrants of the district and are staffed by five local law firms to provide free legal advice, free service and referrals to families
• Of the 315 students who did not have health insurance in 2009, 91 percent have now completed an application through Say Yes in partnership with the Salvation Army
• Comprehensive overhaul of curriculum, instruction, and professional development underway with core support from Say Yes
• Provided support for the 100 Day Rapid Results Projects and funded audits of various SCSD departments to assist the SCSD in identifying additional resources for operations

Say Yes Delivers the Promise

• Say Yes has given out or leveraged more than $11 million in Say Yes scholarships since the fall of 2009
• Nearly 2,000 SCSD students have enrolled in 2 and 4 year colleges (public and private) since the fall of 2009
• More than 200 students in grades 9 to 12 receive tutoring and SAT prep services at no cost each week through the Say Yes College Preparatory Academy
• More than 100 volunteers are currently engaged in Say Yes in various capacities

Economic Development Progress

• An estimated 250 college students will be hired to work as Youth Enrichment Specialists in Say Yes extended year programs this summer
• Syracuse home values have risen 3.5 percent since 2009
• Say Yes and its partners have raised more than $43 million dollars, with events throughout the community, during the worst economic downturn in a generation, to create positive change in the lives of urban students

To learn more about Say Yes Syracuse and find out how you can be part of the solution! For more information visit Say Yes Syracuse's website, email info@sayyessyracuse.org or via phone (315) 443-4260.