Four summers ago the GateWay Academy started the "Earn and Learn" Pre-Apprentice Program. Through this program our boys began to understand the importance and real-world benefit of math, and life and problem-solving skills. In addition, they were enrolled in a math class, which, along with the part-time job, required and reinforced such capabilities.

GateWay could not have realized the success of the program without the dedication, care, and understanding of our teachers. They are amazing! They are vital to the future of our children because they provide purpose and a positive learning environment for the students. Teachers shape and nurture our children today for success tomorrow in many ways.

Our young minority men need basic literacy and numeracy skills. Gateway provides the avenue for our young boys, who are at risk due to grade level deficiencies, to stay committed to getting a solid education. If these boys dont get these skills, they will have a limited future that could lead to incarceration. The odds are devastatingly against them.

The Gateway MATH 180 program is not bound to an inflexible school curriculum that expects that we should see results NOW. Standard school curriculums that expect immediate results is frustrating for struggling students, their parents, and the teacher. The teacher knows that if they had more time to work with their students, many would understand the math concepts, find that they like math, and become committed to learning math.