million strategic plan that has resulted in doubling the number of children and families being served in Dane County. One of the Dane County club's most successful initiatives has been the effort to increase high school graduation rates and prepare kids for higher education. Several years ago the club launched a fundraising effort with a target of $15 million to expand tutoring and mentoring programs in public schools, triple the number of kids involved in these programs and increase high school
“We still have a lot of work to do, but I’m proud of the work we have done.” - Michael Johnson
graduation rates. BUILDER most cost-effective college preparatory program in the nation.
The Dane County club's partnership with the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has produced graduation rates of over 90 percent for ve consecutive years, with more than 82 percent of district students currently enrolled in local colleges and universities. The program started in 2007 with just 28 high school kids; today, more than 1,600 students are participating, from 10 high schools in Dane County. Through partnerships with high schools in Madison and Verona, the club has supported AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) programs and the club's own TOPS (Teens of Promise) project. AVID is a college readiness system that includes an elective course focused on organizational strategies, study skills, critical thinking, tutorial support, and career and college awareness. TOPS, a Boys & Girls Club of Dane County program, provides tutoring, internships and a variety of college and career-related eld trips. On average, kids who participate in the program have higher GPAs, better attendance and take more rigorous courses, than non-participants, Johnson notes. A University of Vermont study found the Madison BGC program the
Earlier this year, the club announced that 98 percent of seniors in its college-prep program graduated from high school and 94 percent were in college. “We have 335 kids in college, 90 percent of them in Wisconsin schools,” he says proudly. Johnson and the student preparation program recently received some semi-national, media recognition. The Wisconsin-based Culver's fast food chain featured him in a “Culver's Heroes” TV commercial which has been seen in 37 states. Johnson has heard from a number of friends and acquaintances who viewed it. “We still have a lot of work to do, but I'm proud of the work we have done. This community has been very generous and supportive; we've been able to grow our operating budget more than 385 percent. And, we have the most diverse workforce in Dane County. When you are inclusive, you can get the resources you need and deliver for the kids and families of Dane County.” “At the end of the day, we have to move the needle for the kids.”
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