I have been involved with Nativity Prep for about a year as a middle school tutor, for math and science. The mission and aim of Nativity Prep is a much needed one in today's world. Everyone cares deeply about getting these students to succeed and move onwards and upwards. I always enjoyed working with the staff and students, a true blessing.
While I am new to the teaching profession I am a veteran in Catholic education. This is my 20th year in Catholic education as either a student or a teacher and Nativity Prep Academy is truly a gem. I am surrounded by professional, devoted educators who care about the whole students. Nativity students begin a transformation the start of their 6th grade year that continues for their three years here and goes beyond that to college and their adult life. Students aren't just made at Nativity, but good people.
I have been involved with Nativity Prep Academy for over 10 years as a mentor, donor, and board member. The positive impact Nativity has and is making on these at risk students is far beyond what I felt was possible. As a mentor, I seem to learn as much as my mentee, understanding the difficulties the student deal with on a daily basis. My time at the school, with the students and other volunteers, s oe of the most rewarding times of my week.
It was over 7 years ago that we first heard of NPA and we were instantly amazed about the mission and the results. From our initial involvement as donors, we have evolved into tutoring, teaching and mentoring at the school. We couldn't be more impressed with the staff and teachers, and especially the students and families. They all work so hard to be the best people they can be to their families, friends and the community at large. It is indeed the happiest time of the week for us when we are at NPA!
NPA is a wonderful school that has a powerful and inspiring mission. The mission of providing a college-prep education to under-served students has engaged me for the past ten years. I have worked with Nativity as a teacher and now as a principal. I care about our students, families, teachers, and school. We have an amazing school community, which gives us the opportunity to create significant change. We are breaking the cycle of poverty through education.
NPA is wonderful. I have been involved for 10 years as a donor/sponsor, mentor of 3 young men and now Board Member. The staff is super dedicated, caring and competent and the students and given a very good education and learn valuable life lessons regarding discipline, hard work, honesty, manners, having fun and faith. The kids themselves are the best selling point and a joy to be with.
I've been part of the NPA community for ten years as a teacher and mentor. Each member of the school community - from teachers, students, and parents to benefactors, mentors, and tutors - is committed to making change through education. Each member of the NPA community has a role in making the school feel like home and family.
If there's any one thing we can do to help break the cycle of poverty it is through education. Because of the strong commitment our principle, teachers and staff have I feel confident that students that attend NPA will become productive citizens. I am very proud to be associated with this program and look forward to witness generational change through education.
l learned about Nativity Prep Academy nine years ago as a school administrator at a private school. I was very impressed with the mission of the School, the principal, faculty, and students. Soon I became a mentor to a student who is now in the 12th grade and most recently became a mentor to a current 7th grader. I have volunteered the last two years with the Graduate Support Program that provides workshops for parents and students to educate them about the college and financial aid process. NPA has a unique 11-year commitment to each student and family. I continue to be impressed with NPA and am honored to be a volunteer at one of the best schools in San Diego. The commitment of the parents, students, faculty, and volunteers is truly unique. With the outstanding academic program, values-based education, and college-going culture, Nativity is changing the lives of low income, first-generation students and making a tremendous difference in the San Diego community.
Since 2003 I have served as a Board Member, mentor, Friends of Nativity and participated in various fundraising events. The level of commitment given to students by teachers, staff and volunteers is unprecedented. NPA is truly changing the lives of the students and their families as well as students attending NPA in the future. As graduates mature and finish their college studies they will assume the stewardship role at Nativity Prep Academy.
Having tutored and also been a mentor for last two years at Nativity Prep. I felt fortunate to be among staff and teachers who were most caring and concerned for all the students there. Not just from an academic standpoint, but they provided guidance for their social skills and stressed also the importance of family. Teachers and staff work hard to give the students the bigger picture of what is out there in their future and how to set goals to achieve their dreams. The students, for their part, all seem to appreciate the opportunity they have been given to be a student at Nativity Prep. and show it in their smiles and dedication. John S
I have been involved with Nativity Prep Academy for over 6 years. I tutored for two years with my daughter while she was in High School and I have continued to tutor after my daughter went to college. I was a mentor for two years to a young lady who has since graduated from High School and is now a Freshman at a 4 year University, the first in her family to do so. I have been very impressed by the students who are enrolled at NPA - they are polite, respectful, hard working and motivated to do well. Even more impressive are the dedicated teachers and staff who work tirelessly to improve the lives of the students at NPA. Nativity Prep has an 11 year commitment to each of their students and continues to support them as they leave NPA to go to High School and on to College. Nativity Prep Academy is making a huge difference in the lives of these students and their families. Because I have been so impressed by the mission and program at NPA, I have recently joined the Board of this wonderful school.
As a parent I fell so greatfull with Nativity Prep Academy because they help my kids to improve their grades also teach strong values, respect based on God.
Teachers, staff, voluntiers, mentors, parents, and students make the difference on the school and it also reflects on our live kids forever, thanks all of you for supporting this unique school !!!!!!!!!!
I have been involved as a volunteer with Nativity for 8 years: as a tutor in math, an advisor to 12th graders applying to college, a mentor to two high school girls and as a donor. During that time I have been very impressed with the dedication of the staff to the education and well-being of the middle school students and alumni as they graduate from high school and head off to college. It is an indication of my regard for Nativity that over the years I have expanded my volunteer roles at this organization.
I 'm a second year volunteer, mentoring a eighth grade young man. He is truly an inspiration to coach teach and prepare for his future. He, as well as all the students at NPA enjoy the motivating, care and empathy the faculty provides the students and to have FUN along the way! The academics exceed my mentee's expectations from when he was at public school. The teachers at NPA are vested in each student to "succeed" and give the students the support and confidence to attend college and graduate. Thank you for allowing me to make a difference!
I became involved with Nativity Prep Academy (NPA) over 6 years ago, initially as a math tutor for students in grades 6-8. I also mentor a NPA graduate currently in 12th grade and applying to college. I am impressed by NPA's 11-year commitment to each student and family: NPA's Graduate Support Program provides support and counseling for each middle school grad through high school and college. The past 3 years I have helped with the Graduate Support curriculum for the high school students and I can attest to the life-changing impact NPA has on the lives of not only the students, but also the student's family and siblings. Truth in advertising: I recently became a member of the Board of Trustees of NPA--a responsibility I never would have considered were I not so convinced of the "rightness" of NPA's mission with low income, first-generation students. This little school in inner-city San Diego changes lives!
This is my fourth year mentoring 8th graders at Nativity and it is so wonderful what can and will happen when we "simply show up". The lunch hour once a week goes by fast and we talk, talk, talk.
I came to NPA 7 years ago as a temporary substitute. I completely fell in love with the mission, students, staff, and volunteers. I am still here 7 years later as a full-time teacher, as well as as a volunteer College Mentor for three young ladies who attend high schools around the county. The children here never cease to amaze me with their drive and effort. They really understand the privilege they are being given by attending an institution like Nativity, and I am proud to be a member of the Magi Family.
When I volunteered to be a mentor at Nativity in 2008, I knew I would be interacting with a young man for a couple years and hopefully helping him make positive decisions as he planned for his future. What I didn't know was that I would be interacting with a lifelong friend as well. Six years later my mentee (friend is a better word) and I still talk on the regular and he is applying for colleges all over the country. I give 99% of the credit of his success (which is still on the rise) to his wonderful attitude and intelligence, but without the path to success Nativity created for this young man he very well could just be another smart kid who wasn't given a chance to shine. Everyone I met through NPA truly, truly cared about these kids' success and committed the majority of their lives to being the leg up that these kids need to expose their potential and lead them to a successful adulthood. I also know I'm not the only one who kept in contact after my friend moved on to high school... All of the staff members I have met continue to offer a helping hand or someone to talk to to all of their students, even after NPA, high school, and even college. Not only am I lucky enough to know that I helped, even in the smallest sense, but I also learned a lot about myself and grew as a person too. A truly wonderful organization whose only goal is to help young people succeed.
Over fourteen years ago I was taken with the plans of a young lawyer for an accredited Catholic middle school for underserved students with a goal of college graduation. The extra hours in a day, the summer program and the Jesuit format all led to a very successful idea. I was hooked so joined the Board, became President and then Chairman of the Board. We hired a bright, forward- looking Principal, now President, who has brought in a young dedicated faculty and staff. Success has come to the school with college graduates, high achieving high school students and very hard working middle school students. I have learned so much from this experience as a volunteer. They have given me much more than I have given to the school and its students, faculty, and staff.
Nativity Prep Academy has become my home. I am a 2nd year teacher at this school and I couldn't imagine a better place to be. The teachers and administrators put the students first and work extended hours to ensure that each student is given the opportunity to succeed in life, school and career paths. Our students are some of the most respectful and thoughtful students in San Diego who genuinely care about you as an individual as well as their community. I am so Blessed to call NPA my job because it is definitely not a job, it is a family that I enjoy being around every day!
Ms. Wilkinson is amazing! Her passion for connecting science curriculum to nature is refreshing. I am impressed with her commitment to her students. She strives for the best, developing her craft so that she can give her best self to her students.
I know without a doubt in my mind that I would not be attending college without Nativity Prep Academy. They show their kids what education does to a persons life. By providing mentoring and scholarships, Nativity Prep gives underprivileged kids a real chance at life. The people who work there are very dedicated to their work and hard working.
My involvement at Nativity Prep Academy began about 8 years ago when I joined the board after learning about the fabulous work being done at the school. In that initial year I also became a mentor and helped a young girl in her eighth grade year. Hearing her story of where she came from and her life's struggles and then having the experience I had to see her development and maturity is when I truly realized the wonderful work being done at the school. The school environment provides life changing opportunities for these students. Most begin their experience at a below grade level ability and when they graduate, three years later, many are at least a grade level ahead. The goal is for every student to go to college and, in the process, many also go to top tier high schools in the area.
The preparation and guidance the students are given is remarkable. There's no question that the students at Nativity Prep Academy are given social and academic training that is life changing and helps them to be able to pursue may options and dreams that would not otherwise be available to them. I am so proud of the work being done at this wonderful school.
I got involved with Nativity Prep Academy 8 years ago through a friend. I mentored a wonderful girl who is now a senior at a fantastic charter school, soon to graduate and pursue her dream of costume design. This bright, beautiful young lady would have never achieved this accomplishment without the assistance, support and educational opportunities of Nativity Prep. They are breaking the cycle of poverty in a high risk community by; 'Teaching them to fish rather than giving them a fish.' It's been
such a rewarding experience to be involved with this amazing school and those dedicated educators.
They are such a blessing to all of those they touch. Thank you Nativity Prep!
I have been volunteering at Nativity Prep Academy ("NPA") for 6 years. The time I spend at NPA with current students, or with alumni who are in high school (through the College Coaching program) is some of the best time I spend volunteering anywhere. NPA takes kids, most of whom did not know one another before the 6th grade, and provides them the opportunity to become friends, competitors, and achievers together. The small classes led by incredibly committed teachers combined with the required participation in extra curricular activities gives these students a chance to truly accomplish things. It is both fun and rewarding to watch the students progress from being insecure and uncertain about their academic, athletic, and artistic abilities to being more confident and sure of themselves. The students I have mentored generally come from families where the parents had no more than an elementary or middle school education, and -- because of NPA -- they attend prestigious high schools. Perhaps most important, they start to realize they can achieve, they can be professionals, and college becomes a very real and logical step for them. So students who statistically probably had a very poor chance of completing high school attend and graduate from college. NPA levels the playing field for these kids in a way I have not seen elsewhere.
Nativity Prep is a wonderful place for students to prepare academically for high school and college. I was privileged to tutor and mentor students and it was for me a very positive experience- and I hope for them as well. It is a great opportunity for young people and the older generation to get together. Great staff and very positive atmosphere.
They deserve any help you can give them.
Nativity Prep Academy (NPA) has created a unique academic formula by establishing a pipeline of services that support children from 6th grade all the way through college graduation. It is based on a community of teachers, mentors, and parents dedicated to the success of every graduate. It's an 11 year hands-on commitment to every student who enters NPA!
This school makes a big difference in the San Diego area. I have volunteered at this school for 11 years and see the changes that this school makes. It all starts with a big smile, a look in the eye, a firm handshake and most of all RESPECT.
I've been involved with Nativity for eleven years and have seen students overcome great challenges and do great things with their young lives--going on to attend some of the best prep high schools in San Diego and going on afterwards to earn their college degrees...all of them the first in their families to do so. There are many ways to get involved at Nativity--as a tutor, mentor, benefactor, or otherwise. Please learn more at www.nativityprep.org
