Join the movement toward Sixty by 30! MCAN is seeking high schools that are interested in showcasing their exemplary postsecondary practices while collaborating and networking with other schools across Michigan. The High School Innovation Grant series offers up to $25,000 to support your postsecondary goals. The inaugural cycle starts January 2023, and we’re seeking 10 schools who want to lead the state in creating a college-going culture.
Applications are now open and will close Sept. 30.
The High School Innovation Grant is a three-stage process — ASPIRE, ACTIVATE, ALIGN — that aims to enhance and sustain school postsecondary practices and systems that will lead to collective impact.
The goal is to change systems that perpetuate inequity in postsecondary pathways by equipping schools with the tools and support necessary to build, enhance, and sustain school-wide systems.
During this experience, schools can expect to:
- Reflect and interrogate current school systems and practices
- Build strong, collaborative school- or district-wide team focused on postsecondary education access and success
- Develop sustainable, systems-wide plans to accelerate progress towards Sixty by 30
- Create and sustain internal data infrastructure to consistently track, monitor, and respond to student trends
Throughout this process schools should create:
- A collaborative postsecondary advisory committee who meets regularly to set, review and adjust goals and plans
- Explicit postsecondary goals and benchmarks tied to school’s continuous improvement plan
- A theory of action and comprehensive postsecondary plan
- Increase in school-specific benchmarks and metrics
Stages of the High School Innovation Grant (ASPIRE, ACTIVATE, ALIGN)
Timeline: January 2023-June 2025
Stage I (ASPIRE)
Estimated length: 4-6 months (beginning January 2023)
Funding: $5,000
Objectives:
- Build a strong, collaborative school or district-wide team focused on postsecondary education access and success
- Reflect and interrogate current school systems and practices
- Engage in College Bound Michigan events
- Determine challenge areas and develop a plan aligned to theory of action
Stage II (ACTIVATE)
Estimated length: 12-18 months
Funding: $10,000
Objectives:
- Develop sustainable, systems-wide plans to accelerate progress toward Sixty by 30
- Engage in College Bound Michigan events
- Create and sustain internal data infrastructure to consistently track, monitor, and respond to student trends
- Communicate and request feedback of plan from key stakeholders
Stage III (ALIGN)
Estimated Length: 6-12 months
Funding: $10,000
Objective(s):
- Present at conference
- Engage in College Bound Michigan events
- Engage greater community in the mission (LCAN)
- Sustain best practices
Ready to be part of the movement? Applications are now open and will close Sept. 30.
Apply now →
Questions?
Contact Cheyenne Peters, strategy manager for high school innovation.