The Fund for Educational Excellence, a nonprofit organization focused on enhancing equity in Baltimore's public education system, announced on Wednesday that it has successfully raised over $450,000 for the Dr. Sonja B. Santelises Legacy Fund. This initiative aims to continue supporting educational opportunities for students in Baltimore City, even as Santelises prepares to leave her role as superintendent at the end of June.
Launched in April, the legacy fund is designed to provide immersive pre-college academic experiences on university campuses for Baltimore City students. These experiences are intended to broaden students' perspectives, build their confidence, and help them envision successful futures. Each year, the fund will support at least eight public high school students, with the inaugural group, known as the Santelises Scholars, set to be selected in 2027.
The Fund for Educational Excellence plans to collaborate with high school principals and guidance counselors to tailor the program to meet the specific needs and aspirations of Baltimore students. Potential partnerships with institutions such as Princeton University could facilitate access to programs like the W.E.B. Du Bois Scholars Institute, which focuses on academic and leadership development for middle and high school students.
This new initiative is a tribute to Santelises' decade of impactful leadership within Baltimore City Public Schools. As the longest-serving superintendent in the past 80 years, her tenure has been marked by a commitment to academic improvement, leading to increased test scores, although challenges remain in closing the achievement gap compared to state averages.
In expressing her gratitude for the establishment of the fund, Santelises stated, "I am deeply honored and grateful for the extraordinary support behind my namesake fund. This investment is ultimately about Baltimore City students, expanding their horizons, nurturing their aspirations, and helping them see what is possible for their futures." Application details for the fund will be released this fall.
Reported by HarborBeat based on thebanner.com (source).
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