Programs: McKay Area Coalition for Student Success

McKay Area Coalition for Student Success (MACSS)

• April 5, 2011 Report
• November 15, 2010 Report
• 2009-2010 Annual Report

The Salem/Keizer Coalition for Equality launched the McKay Area Coalition for Student Success (MACSS) in the fall 2006 to address the needs of McKay High School and its feeder area of 10 elementary and 2 middle schools. McKay High School has one of the most diverse populations of 2000 students in the state of Oregon, and is one of the few high schools in the state to be designated as a Title I (low-income) high school.

The project was launched to respond to high dropout and low graduation rates, and the resulting delinquency, gang, and crime involvement in the area. Our community responded with the knowledge that Salem was losing human potential in our youth and families, social capital, economic health, and neighborhood cohesion and safety because of the lack of resources available in the entire Northeast sector. With these lack of resources comes children who lack many assets they need to succeed.  MACSS brings city, community, church, and business leaders together with parents and families, the school district and the 13 schools in the McKay feeder area to improve achievement, graduation and college preparation for students.

Our Vision:
Success and Opportunity, Every Student, Every Grade Level

Our Mission:
To increase community involvement that supports the academic achievement of elementary, middle school, and high school students in the McKay area

Our Strategy:
To increase support to the schools to ensure that each school is as effective as possible in meeting its educational responsibilities

Our First Objective, 2006:
To increase significant adult relationships linked with students at schools

Our First Project, 2007-08:
To establish, staff, and maintain a mentoring partnership with the goal of exponentially increasing the opportunity for the 8000 students in the McKay area to have adult role models, mentors, and tutors