Our Impact: SEED’s Values Bind Us Together

The glue that binds the SEED community together is our core values and beliefs. In June, we rolled out our updated core values at our SEED Summit—an annual all-staff retreat.

We also kicked off the school year by proudly displaying our values on each campus and hosting conversations with students about living our values every day.

As a member of our SEED community, we wanted to share with you our values and beliefs. Please take a look.

I show RESPECT for all people by being civil, cordial, courteous, and having unconditional appreciation for the value and dignity of all people and things.

I display RESPONSIBILITY by taking ownership and being accountable for my words, actions, and results.

I exemplify PERSEVERANCE by having steady commitment, persistence, and patience, even when there are obstacles or discouragement.

I act with INTEGRITY by being honest and fair and doing the right thing even when no one is looking.

I exhibit COMPASSION by showing concern and empathy, being helpful, and supporting others.

I show GRATITUDE by extending kindness and expressing appreciation for the gifts, time, and talent of others. 

I demonstrate GROWTH through my commitment to excellence, continuous improvement, and learning.

Meet Our Students: SEED Ambassador Jadyn Peterson (SEED MD ’21) to Broaden Her Horizons in Kingston, Jamaica

Jadyn Peterson (SEED MD ’21) began her journey with The SEED School of Maryland as a seventh-grade student, after relocating from Washington, DC, to Baltimore with her mother. Now a sophomore, Jadyn feels SEED’s 24-hour learning environment has brought a college education within her reach. She plans to double major in architectural engineering and sports management at Tuskegee University, in Tuskegee, Alabama. “College is something I used to look up to, but because of SEED, it’s something I look forward to,” said Jadyn.

Jadyn has always looked for new opportunities to engage with the SEED community. Her passion for sports motivated her to become a team manager for the SEED Saber volleyball and basketball teams. As a team manager, Jadyn regularly meets with the director of athletics to discuss the outcomes of each game, provide individual player statistics, and give feedback on how the athletes can improve.

One of Jadyn’s most memorable moments at SEED was being selected as a SEED Ambassador. SEED Ambassadors serve as official student representatives for SEED schools. Since becoming a SEED Ambassador, Jadyn has led campus tours for prospective SEED scholars, their families, and donors. She has also served as a mentor for incoming students and attended job fairs with the human resources team to help recruit staff and faculty.

Jadyn is a well-known scholar at SEED MD and has built relationships with several staff members. Her student life counselor, Adaobi Ezeani, has seen Jadyn mature over the years. “Jadyn is an amazing student. Watching her become a phenomenal young lady has been a wonderful experience,” said Ms. Ezeani.

This summer, Jadyn will spend a week in Kingston, Jamaica—an opportunity provided by SEED MD’s Experiential Learning & External Opportunities program. She’ll engage in botanical research and explore Kingston’s Hope Zoo, which features indigenous animals and species from across the world. Her cohort will also visit an all-girls shelter to provide clothing and resources to young women in need.

Jadyn is a leader among her peers, and she consistently sets a positive example for younger students. We’re honored to have her as a member of the SEED family and are eager to see her excel in her college career.

Our Impact: Can You Say, “Road Trip”?!

Getting to and through college is no small feat. That’s why we do everything we can to set our students up for success.

This year, the college counselors and college success advisors from SEED’s College Transition & Success team hosted 70 SEED juniors on the annual college tour for juniors. Students from SEED DC and SEED MD visited seven colleges, including Albertus Magnus College, Amherst College, Rider University, Rutgers University—Camden, Swarthmore College, West Chester University, and Wilkes University.

The goal of the tour is to give students a keen grasp on what a college looks, feels, and even tastes like! In addition to touring campus housing and buildings, students met college students and asked questions during a panel discussion.

“The majority of our students will be the first members of their families to go to college. Thus, college tours give them real-life exposure to different campuses,” said Joi Baker Jones, director of College Transition & Success. “Our goal is to demystify the experience so that they feel like college is a place where they will thrive and belong.

The colleges and universities selected for the annual tour must be SEED endorsed, which means they must have a track record of success for underrepresented students. Through our College Matching Tier System, we evaluate colleges on three criteria most vital to the success of low-income, first-generation students. First, we assess the quality and availability of campus supports. Second, we rank colleges based on the generosity of their financial aid packages. It’s critical to us that our students not take on lots of debt in order to obtain their degrees. Third, we look at the graduation rate of each institution. Only institutions with strong graduation rates are endorsed. SEED has ranked over 400 colleges and universities based on their performance in these three areas.

“In the same way that students need to be college ready, we believe that colleges need to be student ready, especially when it comes to serving underrepresented students,” said Vincena Allen, chief growth officer at SEED.

Ensuring that SEED students go to a SEED-endorsed school pays off. Sixty four percent of all SEED graduates who start at SEED-endorsed schools graduate. That’s more than four times the rate for students who start at colleges that are not SEED endorsed.

“Our data shows that choosing a right-fit college can make all the difference for our students,” said Ms. Allen. “We’re committed to ensuring that our students and families become informed consumers and better understand what to look for in a college. Choosing a college is one of the most important life decisions you can make. We want to be sure that SEED graduates get it right.”

Malik Conway (SEED MD ‘20) enrolled in SEED MD as a sixth-grade student and is now in his junior year of high school. He joined this year’s college tour. “I was so excited to visit West Chester University, Wilkes College, and Rider University to see what college is really like. This tour has allowed me to broaden my horizons. I’ve always wanted to go to college. It’s hard to believe that I may be a student at one of these schools very soon.”

Meet Our Students: Jermaine Murchison (SEED Miami ’23) Sets His Sights on West Point

Although still in middle school, Jermaine Murchison (SEED Miami ’23) is already focused on charting his path to a college degree. An eighth grader at SEED Miami, Jermaine is an honor roll student who sets a stellar example for his peers. As a member of the Student Ambassador program, Jermaine gives tours to prospective SEED students and donors. He is also a member of the Bulldog flag football team, where he plays safety, corner, and wide receiver.

“I’ve had the pleasure of serving as Jermaine’s student life counselor for three years. During this time, Jermaine has truly become a leader. Whether it’s in the classroom or on the football field, Jermaine has faced every challenge with tenacity and courage,” shared Kem Chatfield, a student life counselor at SEED Miami.

Jermaine is committed to taking advantage of every opportunity he is offered. As a sixth-grade scholar, he boarded a plane for the first time to travel to Buffalo Cove Outdoor Education Center in Deep Gap, North Carolina. Founded in 2003, Buffalo Cove encourages visitors to find harmony and empowerment through self-understanding, self-confidence, friends, and fun. Jermaine had the chance to explore nature, learn new skills, and connect with other Buffalo Cove campers.

“When our admissions director, Mr. Lewis, visited my home when I was in the fifth grade, I knew SEED was the school for me. I was most excited to live in the dorm, because it was something new, but traveling to Buffalo Cove gave me the opportunity to really get out of my comfort zone and try new things,” said Jermaine.

Jermaine is excited to begin high school and work with an advisor from SEED’s College Transition & Success program. He hopes to find a college or university that is the right fit for him. Currently, he has his sights set on earning a degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

We’re proud of Jermaine’s progress and excited to see where his educational journey takes him!

What We’re Learning: Acceleration Academies Work!

At SEED, we’re committed to using evidence-based practices to improve our academic instruction and help our students succeed.

That’s why, last spring, we piloted an Acceleration Academy with students at SEED DC. Acceleration Academies provide targeted instruction in English language arts and math during a school vacation. We learned about this powerful intervention through research conducted on a district-wide improvement effort in Lawrence, Massachusetts, which found that the Acceleration Academies had a significant impact on student achievement and accounted for a larger proportion of learning gains than all the other strategies combined.

Instead of having fun in the sun during their spring break, nearly 40 SEED students participated in the Acceleration Academy. The students spent 20 hours over a five-day period honing their skills and mastering content aligned with the PARCC standardized test.

SEED’s Acceleration Academy worked!

• Fifty-two (52) percent of students who participated in the Acceleration Academy improved their raw score on PARCC, compared to 12 percent of students who did not participate in the Acceleration Academy.

• Thirty-two (32) percent of students who participated in the Acceleration Academy improved their PARCC performance level (PARCC has five levels of achievement), compared to 12 percent of students who did not participate in the Acceleration Academy. 

During our February 2019 winter break, we held another Acceleration Academy at SEED DC and are waiting to see the results.

Going forward, we’re excited about piloting more Acceleration Academies and other evidence-based practices across the network to help all SEED students improve.

Where Are They Now? Bradley Jacobs (SEED DC ’09, Towson University ’15) Is Living His Dream in New York City

From the very first day our students set foot on campus, they begin to develop long-lasting and meaningful relationships.

These relationships are key to our students’ success. With the support of their counselors, teachers, and advisors, our scholars and graduates own their educational journeys and succeed in college and beyond.

This month, we spoke to Bradley Jacobs (SEED DC ’09). He shared with us how SEED’s guidance helped him to meet his goals and how the bonds he built are unbreakable.

What college or university did you attend after graduating from SEED?

I attended Towson University, where I majored in mass communications and minored in marketing.

How was your transition from SEED to college?

My transition was unique, since I spent my first year studying in Spain. When I returned, I spoke to my College Transition & Success (CTS) advisor, Melissa Freedman, and she helped me develop a plan. I enrolled at Allegany Community College [now Allegany College of Maryland] and secured my associate’s degree after two years. I then transferred to Towson University.

Did you stay connected to SEED while in college?

My CTS advisor was always available and constantly checked in with me. She helped me maneuver the college transfer process, determine which major was best for me, and develop a plan to ensure I had the GPA and credits to secure a degree in mass communications.

While in college, I also attended SEED’s Alumni Institute [now the SEED Graduate Institute] and received guidance on resume writing and financial literacy. The Institute helped me figure out what was beyond college and how to transition to adulthood. I found this super helpful.

What did you do after graduating from Towson University?

After graduating from Towson University, I moved to New York City.

It was my goal to work in the fashion industry, and today I work for a public relations agency where I manage relationships with fashion editors, celebrities, and online influencers. My focus is on helping my clients secure, maximize, and leverage press opportunities. Two of my clients are Nike and Helmut Lang.

How did your experience at SEED impact you?

Two things stand out for me: the importance of experiencing and traveling the world, and getting to—and through—college.

I was given a ton of opportunities to travel while at SEED. I traveled to Greece and then participated in the Experience International Living program, where I spent three weeks in Mexico. Traveling broadened my curiosity and led me to study in Spain for a year after graduation. I also studied for a semester in the Bahamas, where I learned a lot about ecology and the environment.

As a SEED student, I was guided through the financial aid process and how to apply for scholarships. The college tours gave me a firsthand look at college life and what each school had to offer. Through a tour, I learned of the opportunity to study abroad, and I am forever grateful for the experience.

But beyond travel and help with college, perhaps the thing I remember and cherish most about SEED is the relationships.

My relationship with SEED extends beyond school. In fact, this summer I’ll be attending the wedding of my former SEED advisor. The bonds I built are deep—SEED is my family.

Our Impact: SEED DC Celebrates Founders Day

“Good afternoon, scholars!”

“Good afternoon.”

“I am sure you can do better than that. Good afternoon, scholars!”

“Good afternoon!”

On March 6, Mecha Inman, the head of school for The SEED School of Washington, D.C., kicked off Founders Day 2019 with this energetic greeting to scholars. SEED DC’s annual Founders Day celebration is an opportunity for scholars, staff, and graduates—the entire SEED family—to celebrate the accomplishments of fellow SEED community members. It’s also a time to remember why Eric Adler and Rajiv Vinnakota, co-founders of SEED and current SEED Foundation board members, started The SEED Foundation: They aspired to build the nation’s first network of college-preparatory boarding schools to provide youth living in low-income communities with an excellent education.

Founders Day is also a time to recognize eleventh and twelfth-grade scholars who have made significant contributions to SEED’s mission and vision. This year, the Vinnakota Award, was given to two remarkable scholars—Jeffrey Moore IV (SEED DC ’19) and Imani Nixon (SEED DC ’19).

Jeffrey and Imani are both members of the Peer Group Connection, where they serve as leaders and mentors for their fellow scholars. In addition, both students model the SEED mission by taking advantage of the many opportunities that SEED offers, such as traveling internationally with SEED’s Experiential Learning & External Opportunities program, performing with The SEED Falcon Theatre, and more!

“Founders Day is a wonderful time to celebrate and share our rich history and our mission with scholars, staff, and other stakeholders,” said, Ms. Inman. “We look forward to announcing the winners of the Vinnakota Award, and honoring our long-time staff members.”

Finally, Founders Day is a time to recognize outstanding SEED teachers and faculty. Teachers who have served the school for four years receive a special chair to recognize their tenure at SEED and their commitment to SEED scholars. This year’s honorees were Brendan Dowd, campus operations manager; Alexis Holloway, school receptionist; Marjorie Howard, government grants manager; Davette Nutridge, special education teacher; Michael Street, director of information technology; Tina Taylor, student life counselor; and Nakeda Walker, administrative assistant.