Fund for Educational Excellence
Partnering with Baltimore City Schools, The Abell Foundation has co-sponsored the Baltimore Robotics League, an afterschool competitive robotics clubs for students from Kindergarten to 12th grade who build and compete in VEX and FIRST tournaments locally and nationally. Over 600 students participate in robotics clubs three hours per week at 78 school locations. Abell funding this year has been dedicated to increasing the number of Jr. FIRST Lego teams in 20 elementary schools.
National Academic League
The National Academic League (NAL) is designed to address the disproportionate attention that is given to sports over academics and provides a scholastic extracurricular activity that boosts student achievement in middle school.
Middle and Elementary/Middle schools in 15 school districts across the U.S. are currently participating in the NAL. Introduced to Baltimore City Schools by the Abell Foundation in 1993, NAL has just completed its 24th year as a member of the league. This operating grant provides support for 22 middle school teams and over 450 students to participate in the October to March competitive season that provides academic preparation and mentoring from teacher coaches.
Baltimore’s Promise
In support of providing occupational skills training leading to employment for 500 Baltimore City Schools graduates in the Classes of 2018 and 2019 who do not enroll in four-year colleges and universities through the new Career Pathways Demonstration Model: Grads2Careers.
Commodore John Rodgers
In support of second-year implementation of Tools of the Mind in 10 pre-kindergarten classes at the 100% Project Schools.
Improving Education
In support of Improving Education’s Networked Improvement Community expansion to second grade (from kindergarten to first grade) in 10 schools to increase reading achievement.