The Peer Power Foundation, Inc.

Results: Source: Tennessee Department of Education 2023-2024 TVAAS Report. The graduation rate of Peer Power schools is higher than the district average. All Peer Power schools experienced academic growth in multiple areas supported by Success Coaches: Booker T. Washington: Launched workforce development program serving 8 local students, students earned 5 industry credentials + hands-on work experience, school achieved highest possible TVAAS rating (Level 5) in Peer Power-supported subjects. Central High: Small group Algebra I interventions by Success Coaches helped school achieve TVAAS Level 5 status. Cordova High: Achieved TVAAS Level 5 status in English I and Algebra I, ranked 4th district-wide in Algebra I growth, secured 2nd highest district ranking in English I growth. Douglass High: English I advanced from TVAAS Level 1 to Level 2 performance, algebra I maintained strong Level 3 status. East High: Maintained Level 5 performance in English I, English II, and Algebra II. Hamilton High: Achieved historic growth from Level 1 to Level 4 school for the first time since 2010, TVAAS improvements across core subjects: English I, English II, Algebra I, and Geometry, success driven by targeted small-group interventions and strategic End-Of-Course test preparation. Melrose High: Launched workforce development program serving two students from 38114 zip code, resulting in 5 industry credentials earned and valuable work experience, achieved TVAAS English II Level 5 from Level 3, and English I improved from Level 2 to Level 4. Kingsbury High: Launched ACT All Stars initiative with Class of 2024, achieving 100% growth for all participating seniors through in-school and Saturday prep sessions, moved off of the state’s priority (F) list. Raleigh Egypt High: Achieved TVAAS Level 5 in Algebra I (from Level 3) and Geometry (from Level 2), while English II advanced to Level 5, demonstrating exceptional academic growth, notable improvements in Algebra II and English I, successfully partnered with Howard University’s Alternative Spring Break program: College students hosted a Black Student Experience panel, created a collaborative student mural, and provided subject-specific tutoring. White Station High: Achieved TVAAS Level 5 in English II (from Level 4) and maintained excellence in Algebra II at Level 5, geometry demonstrated remarkable improvement, advancing from Level 1 to Level 4. Ridgeway High: Maintained TVAAS Level 4 in English I & II, Algebra II advanced from Level 4 to Level 5, overall ACT impact: 14 students scored 21 or higher and 76 students showed score improvements. Whitehaven High: Demonstrated consistent academic excellence by maintaining TVAAS Level 5 performance across all core subjects: Algebra I, Algebra II, English I, and English II. University High School: Supported successful 10th-grade expansion, all tutored subjects achieved TVAAS Level 5 status. University Middle School: Maintained Level 5 growth in Math, Science, and English.

Target demographics: Justice-involved youth, underserved youth, economically disadvantaged youth, low-performing youth, and minority youth.

Direct beneficiaries per year: 13,028 students, 432 classrooms, and 20 schools.

Geographic areas served: For the 2024-2025 school year, we have Success Coaches placed in 6 schools within the MSCS school district, which include PCA (Power Center Academy) High School, PCA Middle School, PCA Southeast Middle School, MASE Middle School, MASE High School, and KIPP Memphis Collegiate High School. In addition to these, we are working in 2 University Schools: University Middle School and University High School. The University Schools are a new Innovative School District beginning in 2024. During the 2023-2024 school year, Peer Power worked in 12 partner schools within Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) and 2 University of Memphis Schools.

Programs: Peer Power’s core program recruits and trains high-performing college students to deliver high-dose tutoring and mentorship in public schools. Our college tutors/mentors, called Success Coaches, build positive relationships with students while providing subject-content interventions. For nearly two decades, Peer Power has been at the forefront of educational innovation in Memphis, transforming lives through peer-to-peer tutoring and mentoring. The main purpose of this program is to help meet student needs in underserved communities. Some needs that we focus on addressing include supporting students who are: TVAAS-identified as borderline or below academic proficiency, students with low attendance, students with low ACT scores that may disqualify them from post-secondary scholarships, and schools with high disciplinary rates. Our program has a two-fold impact - supporting college students through providing a competitive wage and a meaningful work experience. Many of the students are first-generation, low-income, who data shows to be nearly four times more likely to leave higher education after the first year than students who have neither of these risk factors if they aren’t provided essential support throughout their college tenure. Peer Power provides valuable resources to our Success Coaches so that they can: graduate on time, accrue less debt, be prepared to enter a new career, and create a positive impact in the community where they live and work. Through our core program model, Peer Power delivers high-impact, individualized support through strategically placing Success Coaches in public school classrooms. These coaches work alongside teachers throughout the school year, providing comprehensive academic and mentoring services during both school hours and after-school programming. The model includes: Targeted Academic Support (Small group instruction and one-on-one tutoring for TVAAS-identified students performing at borderline or below academic proficiency; direct assistance with lesson design and delivery to support teacher effectiveness; subject-specific content support across core academic areas; and specialized ACT preparation and college readiness programming), and Extended Learning Opportunities (After-school tutoring programs; Fall, Spring, and Summer Break Camps focusing on college preparation and academic enrichment; Structured mentorship programs supporting both academic and personal growth; And social-emotional skill-building activities). This high-dosage tutoring approach ensures: Immediate feedback and attention to student needs, consistent academic support throughout the school year, personalized learning experiences tailored to individual student needs, seamless integration with classroom instruction, and strong relationship building between Success Coaches and students.