SVEF Receives $25,000 Grant for Summer Math Acceleration

Update - May 5: See the Sonoma Index-Tribune's coverage here (gift link):
$25k grant to help Altimira students improve math skills

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The Sonoma Valley Education Foundation (SVEF) has received a $25,000 grant to help middle school students build math skills and confidence this summer.

The grant was awarded Tuesday by Impact100 Sonoma, and will help fund Elevate [Math], a summer program that kicks off June 1 for Sonoma Valley public school students.

With the grant, SVEF will expand on a successful 2025 pilot so that students entering sixth, seventh, and eighth grade at Altimira Middle School can attend the summer program at no cost to families.

“Math is how students learn to persevere, think critically, and solve complex problems systematically,” said SVEF Executive Director Sarah Carroll. “We’re grateful to be able to offer more opportunities for students to build these all-important skills through Elevate [Math].”

The proven curriculum focuses on acceleration – previewing concepts for the coming school year through interactive exercises and group work on real-life problems that involve math.

SVEF is working in collaboration with the Sonoma Valley Unified School District to offer Elevate [Math]. School district teachers lead the summer session and receive specialized training on strategies they can use throughout the school year and share with colleagues.

“Teachers tell us that students who are ready for Algebra I by the time they leave middle school are equipped to succeed in advanced science and math classes in high school and beyond,” said Carroll. “Through Elevate [Math], teachers receive additional support for the work they are doing every day to prepare students for their futures.”

Elevate [Math] is the only summer academic program offered to middle school families at no cost to families. No public funding is allocated to the program, and the Impact100 grant covers a third of the costs.

SVEF is currently campaigning to raise the remainder of the funds for Elevate [Math], with a matching gift challenge in effect now through Memorial Day, May 25.

“Elevate [Math] is one hundred percent funded by the generosity of the community,” said Carroll.

Give to Support Elevate [Math]