The need for the GAP Academy is demonstrated by underperforming schools in the metropolitan Phoenix communities of color 19.5% of the residents are without a high school diploma or GED (Census 2019). The low-income areas in these communities have a poverty rate of 22% (Census 2019), which is more than double the rate of the City of Phoenix, and more than four times the rate of poverty for the entire state of Arizona. The unemployment rate in these areas is also highly disproportionate to the City of Phoenix 5% (Census 2019), while in low resourced communities the unemployment rate may be as high as 15%. Because of these alarming statistics, which are similar to other major cities across the United States, the Gap Academy provides an intervention that gives students hope and skills for a better future. Disturbing statistics about high school graduation rates motivates and informs our programming.
Why our work is important
Here are the facts:
1) Among recent dropouts, 12% are unemployed and 32% live below the poverty line.
2) Dropouts with jobs earn an average of only $439 per week, with the most common jobs found in the construction, food service, and landscaping industries.
3) In the United States, high school dropouts commit 75% of crimes and account for 68% of the prison population.
4) Arizona had a graduation rate of 78% in 2017. Phoenix has the fourth-highest dropout rate in the United States.
5) The graduation rate for Latinx students in Arizona is 74% and 73% for African American students, trailing behind the national average of 80%.
6) Nearly 4 in 10 minority students do not graduate with their High-school dropouts face daunting challenges. Skills in STEM subjects and educational attainment is increasingly important in today’s economy. The GAP Academy’s activities include “intergenerational” mentoring. It is important to pass down wisdom that comes from experience and provide students with the practical application of their academic skills.