A SEED Education is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts.
A SEED education is a learning experience that extends far beyond the school day. In our 24-hour boarding program, students are exposed to new ideas, new cultures, and new interests. SEED provides rich, diverse exposure opportunities that spark a lifelong thirst for learning and introduce students to the many choices they have for their futures.
While each SEED school has a unique identity reflecting the community it serves, there are key elements that make each school uniquely SEED. Check out the timeline below to see a handful of the formative experiences that are vital to the SEED experience.
LaDonna, SEED DC '12, Florida A&M University '16) pins SEED Miami sixth grader N'stari during her Dream Ceremony.
Fall of Sixth Grade:
New students are officially welcomed to the SEED Community by staff, older students, graduates, and community partners at our Dream Ceremony. Students share their aspirations for their SEED journey.
Middle School:
Students are immersed in SEED’s academic and social and emotional learning environment, including individualized intervention and enrichment for those who enter middle school performing below grade level. Students explore collegiate experiences like visits to college campuses.
“SEED teaches you that there is something positive in this world, even though the world needs some changing. They give me hope, and I see the bigger picture.”
The Greek Classics Program ends a semester of study with a summer trip to Greece.
Early High School:
Students explore new interests and pursue their passions through AP and elective courses, after-school “Spark” activities, and exposure opportunities, often in partnership with community organizations.
Late High School:
Students deepen their research into colleges—selecting the best fit for them, completing their applications, and applying for scholarships. They do this with intensive, individualized support from their college counselors and The SEED Foundation’s College Transition & Success (CTS) team.
At right: Jeremiah was the first SEED MD senior to be accepted to college when he received his letter of admission to Virginia Tech in winter 2014. He is now a college graduate from Mount St. Mary’s University, class of 2019.
In College:
Every SEED graduate has a college success advisor who visits them on campus and provides continuous support for any challenges that arise during their college career. In the summer, graduates reunite with their classmates and SEED staff from across the network at the SEED Graduate Institute—a weekend dedicated to their personal, financial and professional growth.
College Graduation and Beyond:
SEED graduates cross the stage at commencement in front of their families, friends, and CTS advisors. Armed with their SEED educations and college degrees, graduates are ready to pursue any path they choose.
At left: Bryon, SEED DC '12, celebrates his graduation from Morehouse College with Mr. Frasier, his college success advisor and former life skills counselor at SEED DC. Mr. Frasier has known Bryon since he was "this big!"
BUT WHAT DOES A SEED STUDENT'S DAY LOOK LIKE?
Click below for a special look at the Day in the Life of a SEED Student:
Our Network: Stronger Together
As a network, The SEED Foundation and SEED Schools foster a community that is greater than the sum of its parts. Our collective knowledge and skills and collaborative culture are unparalleled. We pursue continuous excellence and growth for ourselves and for our students and graduates. We learn from each other and perfect our craft together. Here are just a few examples:
The SEED Summit
SEED is as committed to the growth and development of our educators and leaders as we are to our students. Our annual SEED Summit is a chance to leverage our most readily available and valuable asset: each other. Held each summer, the SEED Summit is a two-day professional retreat attended by all SEED faculty and staff. The Summit is a space where staff can connect with and learn from each other, find resources to improve their craft, and grow their career. It’s where SEED’s best practices, shared language, and expectations can be shared and tested. It’s a reminder that we are not in this most important work alone.
SEED GRaduate institute
Each summer, The SEED Foundation hosts recent graduates from SEED DC, SEED MD, and SEED Miami for a weekend of professional and personal growth. The SEED Graduate Institute (SGI) is designed to help recent graduates identify their career goals—and develop the plan and skills necessary to reach them. Engaging experts from various fields, SGI exposes SEED graduates to different career options and enhances their social capital–providing them with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully navigate postsecondary education and employment. Visit our CTS Programming page to learn more.