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Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tina McGovern 415-749-3600 ext. 19, outreach@gatewayhigh.org
Gateway High School Awarded Certificate of Excellence
October 23rd, 2002
San Francisco School Volunteers honor outstanding school volunteer programs
San Francisco, CA - October 23, 2002 - Gateway High School, yesterday, was recognized by San Francisco School Volunteers for its outstanding volunteer program. Each year, the San Francisco School Volunteers present the Honor Roll of Schools Award to three schools for their exemplary volunteer programs. Schools are chosen based on the quality and effectiveness of their community involvement programs.
The Gateway volunteer tutorial program was developed and launched by Gateway parent Joanne Wells who saw a need for additional resources to help the students. Ms. Wells recruits Gateway parents and volunteers from the community to tutor in the Learning Center after school and support the many students who take advantage of the program. Volunteers include college students and employees of local businesses such as DPR Construction. "Volunteering at Gateway has been rewarding beyond my imagination. Like most busy professionals, I didn't think I had the time but I’m so glad I did. It's important work but fun as well, each afternoon in the Learning Center I am greeted, by students and faculty alike, with a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and appreciation," said Wells. More than 35 volunteers participate in the Gateway Learning Center after-school tutorial program. Volunteers tutor one-on-one with students who are struggling or just need help understanding a tough concept in a subject. "The volunteers have made a real difference for many Gateway students, we are extremely grateful for all their hard work and commitment," said Gateway Principal Peter Thorp.
The Gateway Learning Center is a unique program that enables Gateway to bring a rigorous public college preparatory education to students with many different learning styles. In accordance with the terms of Gateway’s charter, approximately 25% of the student body has documented learning disabilities. The philosophy behind the Learning Center is that each student has a unique learning profile and that a personalized approach to teaching and an understanding of the different ways students learn yield great achievement.
About Gateway High School
Gateway was founded by a group of parents and educators who believed there was a need in the Bay Area for a smaller, personalized, college preparatory public high school with a commitment to and expertise in serving a diverse student population, including a significant number of students with learning differences. Now starting its fifth year of school operations, Gateway is at full enrollment with 400 students in grades 9-12. In June 2002, Gateway graduated its first senior class, and more than 450 students applied for 100 places in the current 9th grade class. Gateway’s 400 students come from more than 100 different middle schools. 13% of Gateway students are African-American, 24% Latino, 15% Asian/Pacific Islander, 40% Caucasian, and 3% Other Non-White. As mandated by the School’s charter, approximately 25% of the student body have previously identified learning differences, 2.5 times the LD enrollment in the average San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) high school. For more information, contact Gateway High School at 415-242-2654, www.gwhs.org.
"Measuring success one student at a time"
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