TOOLS FOR SUCCESS
In the Sutton Scholars program, we teach students about the “soft skills,” and we create opportunities to try them on through clubs and experiential learning. Summarized from the Harvard Business Review, these “soft skills” include:
Effective communication
adjusting our communication for context and audience.
Teamwork
learning to work effectively with people with a variety of personalities and perspectives.
Influencing Without Authority
bringing people along through collaboration.
Problem Solving
understanding a problem, brainstorming solutions, actively trying out ideas.
Leadership
actively guiding and influencing others to maximize their strengths and reach a collective goal.
ENRICHMENT MATTERS
We serve students who are moderate to high achievers yet lack the required support for, and access to, opportunities that will enrich and inform their vocational futures. The program is simultaneously rigorous and supportive. Students remain engaged and the retention rate of the program shows their commitment. For example, over the last two summers, every student that began in the program completed all six weeks, and 98% returned the following summer. Sutton Scholar alumni report that the book discussions, the exposure to the arts, and the career/college mentoring were valuable contributors to their current success.
Given the historic racial disparities in education and community services in the neighborhoods in which the students live, the Sutton Scholars program promotes equal access and opportunity for underserved young people. The students in the Sutton Scholars program attended elementary and middle schools that lacked ongoing enrichment activities offered in schools which are located in more affluent communities.
The enrichment curriculum provides a safe environment for students to grow more competent and hope-filled. Graduates report that they have learned much-needed skills for attaining their vocational goals, and their confidence has grown as a result.
The enrichment program accomplishes this by providing:
- three hours per day of instruction that reduces “summer slide”
- three hours per day of group and leadership activities
- a healthy lunch and two snacks each day
- a weekly stipend for full engagement in the program
- exploration of Black history and identity through dance, theater, research, literature, and writing
- training for and opportunities in public speaking
- community service experiences
- field trips and college visits
- afternoon club activities include activism, photography, business, and graphic design
- outdoor adventure-based leadership training