Programs

Strengthening the Family

Proactive parental involvement is an essential element in promoting a strong academic environment for students. An effective means of communication between parents and students helps to facilitate this type of environment.

EIP require new parents and students to attend and complete the "Strengthening the Family Workshops." The workshop will help build or improve the means of communication between parents and students. The workshops are also offered in Spanish.

After-school Tutoring

When dealing with low-income, or first-generation college bound families, students may find difficulty in seeking help on academic material at home.

To help overcome this disadvantage EIP offers after-school tutoring. Students are required to attend tutoring during the first quarter of every academic year. Students who fail to maintain a letter grade of a "C+" or higher in any subject is required to attend tutoring.

The 23 after-school tutoring sites are located at selected schools throughout the participating counties. These sites are hosted by George Mason University student tutors and teachers affiliated with the EIP program . Students seeking help in a specific subject should contact the EIP office if help is not immediately available at any of the local tutoring sites.

Special Activities

Students have opportunities during the school year to take part in workshops and to enjoy cultural experiences, math review days, and other events on and off campus. Transportation is provided to nearly all events, many of which take place on Saturdays.

Power Aid Math Review: a six-session course offered on Saturdays that is designed to help students in Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 and Trigonometry by strengthening their understanding of math concepts. Students who sign up for Power Aid are expected to attend all of the scheduled sessions. Students are strongly encouraged to participate.
SAT Prep Course: To help students plan and prepare for the college admissions process, EIP offers practice sessions for the sophomores and juniors in taking the SAT (Scholastic Achievement Test). During the Summer Academy, the students receive their scores from the "Practice SAT" exam and learn strategies for improving their test scores. Classes are divided in Math and Verbal practice sessions and emphasize not only the importance of preparation but how to prepare for the test. EIP purchases the REAL SAT Book, and offers it to students at a reduced price. These classes build students' confidence in taking the test and lead to improved scores on the exam. EIP also follows up with the seniors in the fall and winter to remind them to register for the SAT.
Leadership Retreat: Conducted at Hemlock Overlook Center for Experiential Education, students learn team skills that improve a student's ability to learn in a classroom/group setting. Students experience a series of challenges designed to build self-reliance, group trust, problem solving, cooperation and communication. EIP students attend at 8th-graders and again in their junior year.
Time Management and Goal Setting: a workshop designed for the 8th-grade HEP students to improve academic success by teaching effective habits for managing time and setting academic and personal goals. The workshop helps 8t graders begin to build the solid foundation for the future.
Other Events: include activities to increase computer technology proficiency and study skills as well as sessions on applying for admissions to college and for financial aid.

Summer Academy

A three week academic enrichment program, the summer academy offers students a preview of the academic material that they will encounter in the fall in math, science, and writing courses. Additional courses in computer technology are also offered. The projects encourage the students to be active class participants and think in new and different ways. Students also participate in special activities, including guest speakers, team building, SAT prep, college prep, social development, career day, resume preparation, and shadowing a professional.

The summer academy is held at both the Fairfax and Prince William campus of George Mason University. These facilities allow for students to take advantage of the advanced computer and lab resources and expose students to a college atmosphere.