Myth: “Students in Mountain View and Los Altos don’t need any help, they’re all from affluent families.”
Mythbuster Tip:
Despite the fact that Mountain View and Los Altos are generally well-off communities, our school districts also educate an underserved, economically disadvantaged segment of the population. For example, 56% of students at Alta Vista High School are eligible for Free and Reduced Price Meals, as are 44% of students in the Mountain View-Whisman School District (Cal. Dept. of Education, FRPM Data 2012-13).
The families of the students we serve often lack the resources to support their children’s education. With limited English language skills, these families can be overwhelmed and intimidated by the public school system. The achievement gap for these populations is significant, for example, only 33% of Latino 10th graders at Mountain View High scored proficient or better in English (45% at Los Altos High, and 17% at Alta Vista)(2012 STAR test results).
We offer our tutoring and mentoring programs at no cost to those who need them. Our goal is to help vulnerable students fulfill their potential in school and in life through positive relationships that foster self-esteem, healthy behaviors, and academic success. It is only with the strong support of our dedicated volunteers and donors that we are able to help our students achieve their potential and thrive.