THE MISSION SOCIETY
2024 YEARBOOK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dear Mission Society Community,
I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to share a look back on our 2024 school year full of outstanding academics, enriching internships, and meaningful social connection. Each of you remained dedicated to the pursuit of our goal—providing educational opportunities across our city and ensuring no young person is left behind. You continue to amaze me with your innovative spirits, constantly transforming our programs in response to the needs of students and bringing new life to our vision for success in the classroom. It has been a great privilege to collaborate and witness all of your compassion and hard work.
Our days over the last year were filled with invaluable lessons and creativity. We extended school day learning with math, science, and literacy activities that bolstered students’ academic confidence. We encouraged self-expression through the arts, hosting dance performances and making new visual art masterpieces. Students volunteered, worked paid internships, and tackled their college applications, building paths towards futures full of opportunity. Our educators encouraged and guided young scholars along the way, ensuring their year was full of joyful learning adventures.
Most importantly, these efforts in and beyond the classroom have grown our community of students, educators, families, volunteers, and more. When we come to the end of each school year, this is the first thing I think of when I consider what made our work so special. Our community is one filled with kindness and determination, and people who have led our programs to new heights and uplifted students, peers, and colleagues along the way.
I can’t wait for you all to look back on the year in the pages of our Mission Society Yearbook, and join me in celebrating 2024. Together, we made a profound impact within our schools and throughout our communities, and I can’t wait to see how we continue to come together and stand up for the well-being of our classrooms, neighborhoods, and city well into the future.
Sincerely,
​​
Elsie McCabe Thompson
President & CEO
ENRICHING ACADEMICS
Superstar Scholars
1,506
Power Academy students participated in academic enrichment, physical fitness, and arts programs that increased confidence, communication skills, and imagination.
Power Academy scholars participated in
66,300
hours of arts programming, as well as 10 hours of literacy learning per week.
1,608
Level Up students received college and career readiness training, mental health support, and academic opportunities that built on the possibilities of their futures beyond school.
Academic achievement continued well into the summer months, as we combatted summer slide by keeping our doors open and facilitating educational lessons and art activities.
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And the award goes to…our scholars who were recognized each month for their exemplary efforts in and beyond our classroom! Our Student Spotlight awards were given to students with exemplary attendance, volunteer efforts, academic success, creative endeavors, and so much more.
Invaluable Resource Library
We spent 2024 expanding our horizons and setting off on new learning adventures by building a library of resources for students, families, and educators.
Summer Reading lists reflected the diverse backgrounds of our students in our Power Academy and Level Up programs, as well as the variety of experiences that impact their daily lives. The lists promote our literacy learning programs, with books that take young people on journeys of discovery and imagination.
Mission Nutrition cooks up creative lessons on our favorite subjects. In 2024, we explored science, math, and engineering through the series, offering accessible learning opportunities right from home.
Stand-out Field Trips
Class of 2024
477
students made up the incredible Class of 2024 and kicked off their futures filled with promise.
​Many of our graduates were first generation students who are blazing their own trails after leaving our programs. At the Mission Society, we helped students and families navigate the often-confusing admissions and financial aid processes during year-long college counseling sessions.
Students had the opportunity to recognize their year of success through fun social events, like attending prom to bond with peers and celebrate their hard work in academics, internships, volunteer efforts, and more.
MOST LIKELY TO TRANSFORM THE WORKFORCE
Incomparable Interns
247 students participated in paid internships in 2024, making a total of $671,282
Students received personal finance assistance, and training as greenhouse workers, security guards, food handlers, nail technicians, and more.
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Outstanding Career Training
The Mission Society hosted our second annual Virtual Career Fair in October to highlight the variety of opportunities available to students after high school and college graduation - connecting young people with professionals, and building a library of resources that ensure they enter the workforce with confidence.
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High school students had the opportunity to earn an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Certification, a specialized training emphasizing workplace safety and health principles.
This foundational knowledge prepares our students for various roles and boosts their credibility and demand in the job market.
With an OSHA card in hand, our graduates gain access to jobs in construction and healthcare, as well as more specialized positions like hairdressers and orthodontic assistants.
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ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY
& CONNECTION
Most Encouraging Educators
Staff reached out to over
​
700
students to encourage school attendance, ensuring all scholars had the opportunity to benefit from program offerings.
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We know how vital it is to advocate for the well-being of educators. They are the driving force behind the Mission Society, helping our students navigate complex emotions, challenging academic hurdles, and so much more.
With few resources being funneled into classrooms in support of our educators, we emphasized how our team can foster their own mental health and well-being as they navigate work and life.
The impact of our social workers, dance instructors, martial arts teachers, and coaches in our programs is immeasurable. In 2024, we thanked our hidden teacher figures for shaping the lives of our students and passing on lessons that extend far beyond textbooks.
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Community Building Champions
Our team uplifts the cultural traditions of our students, staff, and families through resources that extend classroom learning and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of our community.
We went on a mission to learn about the hidden STEAM traditions of our holidays.
We recognized Black History Month, Pride, and more as we celebrated history-makers who are shaping the fields of engineering, math, and science and exposed students to the impactful work of individuals from their own communities.
Our students are at the forefront of building community in the classroom, using their creativity, connection, and courage to kickstart clubs, organize for issues that matter to them, and become stewards of improved school experiences.
We integrate LGBTQIA+-inclusive curriculum into our learning initiatives, training supportive staff, empowering student advocacy, and building welcoming spaces for all young people.
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Students from one of our Level Up programs started a Gay-Straight Alliance where young people can safely meet, learn from one another, and discuss the concerns that matter the most in each of their lives.
Mission Ambassadors from all five of our K-8 programs came together for our second annual Youth Summit. Student leaders shared updates on projects from their schools and collaborated on community mapping.
On Election Day, our high school students took the lead in casting their votes for student council. Each ballot represented a commitment to positive change and active participation in shaping our school community. This was a wonderful way to showcase the value of community engagement and the power each of us holds to make important decisions.
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MVP Artists & Athletes
Students threw on their jerseys and dribbled their way to the basketball court for a summer-long tournament! Four of our school sites competed, and the top two teams faced off in a final showdown, learning about teamwork and sportsmanship, and bonding with their peers along the way.
We unveiled incredible murals painted by our high school students in our school hallways, a collaborative effort that went beyond beautifying our surroundings— it reflected our vibrant community and highlighted unity and the extraordinary masterpieces we can create when we join forces.
Signatures
See you next year!
The best is yet to come!
Thank you for an amazing 2024!
