Giving: Partner Scholarship Program
Answering Your Questions
 How does a Partner Scholarship affect the cost of education for urban families?
Tuition at Hope Academy is determined on a sliding scale. All told, tuition covers about 10% of the cost of education. Also, nearly all of our students are eligible for scholarship through the KidsFirst Scholarship Fund (kidsfirstmn.org), which accounts for about 20%. The remaining 70% is covered by our Partners.
What sort of Partners are there?
Full Partner
Nearly all of our Partners at Hope Academy are Full Partners. A Full Partner provides a full scholarship for an individual student. Starting in 2008-2009, Full Partners will contribute $5,000 annually.
Half Partner
A Half Partner also desires to support the education of a student, but makes an annual investment of $2,500. (We encourage our Half Partners to find a friend to Partner with them).
Partner Group
A Partner Group is a small group of individuals who together share the financial and time commitment of a Full Partner. This is a great option for a Bible study, small group, or group of friends.
Boaz Partner
A Boaz Partner is someone who desires to make a significant impact in the inner city. From the 2008-2009 to the 2013-2014 school year (six years), we are looking for 5-6 individuals to make a one-time gift of $50,000 to $100,000.
Q: What is the student/partner relationship like?
A: Twice each year, Partners spend time with students in the classroom and lunchroom at our Partner Days. Partners also receive communication three times a year that include two handwritten letters and teacher comments.
 Q: What happens at Partner Days?
A: Each Partner Day is slightly different, but at each one you will:
- spend 30 minutes in your student's classroom (Past Partner Days have included activities such as reading a book with your student partner, conducting a science experiment, observing a lesson, or playing an educational game.)
- eat lunch with your student's class.
Our hope is that through the Partner Days and the letters your partnered student(s) send you, you will develop a connection with your student.
Q: Can I bring a gift for my student partner?
A: We ask that you refrain from giving additional gifts or money to your student partners. If you wish to make an additional financial donation, we will be able to identify a need or program that benefits all the students and fits your intentions.
Q: What do I do if I am cannot attend Partner Day?
A: Students look forward to meeting Partners, but are also understanding. If attendance is not an option, some Partners send someone in their place or send a note.
Q: Can I spend more time with my student partner by volunteering at the school?
A: Yes. Some of our partners also serve as volunteers at the school and we encourage this, but it is not assured that you will spend time with your student. If you are interested in volunteering, please call the school.
Q: If I do not attend Partner Days, will I be partnered with a student?
A: Yes, all Full and Half Partners are partnered with students.
 Q: How else can Partners get involved with Hope?
A: Partners can get involved in many ways at Hope. Partners host career days for our middle school; donate children’s books; attend school functions; help teachers find field-trip resources; invite friends to become Partners; etc.
Q: Must I hold and practice specific Christian beliefs to scholarship a Hope Academy student?
A: Hope Academy does not set criteria for student sponsorship. While our staff are Christians and sign a statement of faith, we do not require parents or Partners to agree to statements regarding religious beliefs and practices. We appreciate our Partners, regardless of whether or not they share our beliefs.
Q: How long should my Partnership last?
A: Ideally, each Partner supports their student until he or she graduates from Hope Academy. We also ask Partners of graduating students to be re-Partnered with an incoming kindergartener.
We recognize, however, that circumstances change. Partnership may be discontinued at any time.
Know that our student’s circumstances may change as well. Families move. change schools, and students are sometimes asked to leave. We inform Partners if any such circumstance affects their student. We will then offer the opportunity to partner with a different student in need of help.
As a Hope Academy Partner, you are an important part of the school. Although Partners come from the greater Twin Cities area and beyond, they have one thing in common—the desire to play a part in the education and life of a child. It is recognized that parents are the primary partners for their children, but all children need to know that there are others who care deeply about their well-being and are willing to walk with them on their journey through life.
Q: What is the relationship I will have with my student
partner?
A: Spending time with him/her on Partner Day, if you are able
to attend, and receiving correspondence from him/her. Throughout
the course of the year you will be able to see your student partner
grow and progress. There is no expectation to develop a relationship
with the student outside of those interactions, and in fact we
ask that you do not seek outside interaction.
Q: If I am not able to attend Partner Day, will I still
be partnered with a student?
A: Yes, we have already paired you with a student, whom you will
receive mailings from throughout the year regardless of whether
or not you are able to attend.
Q: What mailings will I receive from the student?
A: You will receive three mailings from the student: A Thanksgiving,
Easter and end-of-year card, which will include a brief note from
the teacher about the student.
Q: What should I do if I am unable to attend a Partner
Day and wish to tell my student partner that I am thinking of
her or him?
A: A great thing to do is to write a note explaining that you
will not be able to attend, but you are thinking of them. You
should address the note to the student in care of Hope Academy.
Q: What will my time with my student partner typically
look like during Partner Day?
A: Thirty minutes of the time is devoted to observing and interacting
with your student-partner in the classroom. Past Partner Days have
included activities such as reading a book with your student partner,
conducting a science experiment, observing a lesson, or playing
an educational game. Following this time, you and your student partner,
along with the rest of the class, will eat lunch together in the
cafeteria.
If you have any questions or are interested in giving, contact
Dan Olson, Director of Development, at 612-721-6294 x16 or by e-mail at
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