Sandy Springs Society Awards Grant to Riverwood

Patch Staff Report

The Sandy Springs Society has awarded the Riverwood Foundation a $10,000 grant to help establish AVID, or Advancement Via Individual Determination, at Riverwood International Charter School. 

AVID is a college readiness educational program designed to increase school wide learning and performance. 

The society on Thursday, June 12 will hold a photo op to formally present the grant at 1:30 p.m. at the school located at 5900 Raider Drive NW. 

Riverwood, ranked as one of Georgia's top 10 Most Challenging High Schools and recognized as one of the state's top AP Merit Schools, AP STEM Achievement Schools and AP STEM Schools, is implementing AVID in order to raise graduation rates, particularly among students in the academic middle.

"We greatly appreciate the Society's award," said Dr. Robert Shaw, principal of Riverwood. "We are delighted to be that much closer to our goal of establishing AVID in the fall.” The Riverwood Foundation has committed to raise $25,000 to help implement the program.

Philanthropy Chair Judy Burkholder said the Sandy Springs society is "committed to supporting programs of broad interest that enhance our community."

"The nationally-recognized AVID program has great promise as a tool for encouraging students to achieve," she added. "We are excited to be able to help fund its implementation at Riverwood." 

Studies show that students who finish high school fare substantially better than their peers who drop out of school. Graduates are more likely than drop-outs to pursue secondary education, find meaningful work, and become contributing members of their communities. Schools with off-the-charts graduation rates attract and retain high achievers, who are recruited by the nation’s top colleges.

The Sandy Springs Society supports non-profits programs that improve the quality of life for all the residents of Sandy Springs by promoting the arts, heritage, education, the environment and social services. 

The Philanthropy Committee reviewed a total of 22 grant requests for 2014; ultimately, 17 grants were awarded. In awarding the grants, the committee took into account the number of Sandy Springs residents that would be served by the program, the uniqueness of the service provided, the demographics served, and the overall impact on the community at large.