Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Icon Preparatory School
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 1906 N. Rome Avenue
City: Tampa
State: FL
Postal Code: 33607-2427
Main Phone: 8139678300
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.iconprep.org
Employer ID Number: 82-3938655
Organization Tax Status: Active Nonprofit

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3-29-2024
Requested Amount: 10,000.00

Project Title: Icon Preparatory School Programs
Project Description:

Icon Preparatory School is seeking support for our Icon Preparatory School Programs, which address the critical needs within our community. Focusing on the indispensable role of after-school programs, we aim to mitigate the challenges faced by our underserved students in the Tampa area. Recognizing the profound impact of a structured and supportive after-school environment, we strive to educate and inspire our community’s next generation of children. Ninety-nine percent of students at Icon Prep receive free or reduced-priced meals and are classified as living in low-income households. Additionally, 99% percent of students at Icon Prep are African American. With over half of our students living below the poverty line and an increasingly failing educational system, we are the beacon of hope for our community’s kids and their families.

Along with our rigorous school day curriculum, we also enhance our student’s learning by providing extracurricular after-school programs, academic support, tutoring, athletics, feeding programs, and enrichment activities along with our award-winning drumline and majorettes program, "Marching Rattlers," which will allow our students to show growth in many areas, including Social and Emotional Development, Language and Communication, Cognitive Development, General Knowledge, Scientific Thinking, and Motor Development. These programs are essential supplements to the formal education system, helping students strengthen their academic skills and fostering a love for learning. Our program focuses on commitment, respect, empowerment, excellence, and determination to build students’ confidence and prepare them to become successful global citizens. In addition to the focus on academic achievement, Icon Prep’s faculty and staff foster and develop character strengths among scholars.

Icon Preparatory School

Unlike many other schools, Icon Prep students can participate in drumline, majorette dance, football, basketball, cheerleading, step team, and coding in the technology club. In addition, Icon Prep uses the school day, supplemental, and summer education programs to prepare its students to become real symbols of excellence within their community. As a result, students exhibit growth over double the national average in some grade levels and subjects. Across most grades and subjects, the majority of Icon Scholars are outperforming the national average in meeting their growth targets. In addition, most grade levels at Icon Prep exhibited more extensive growth than the national average for public schools. These significant gains in academic achievement are being realized even though Icon Prep’s scholars reside in significantly underserved areas and are composed of students struggling with achievement gaps compared to their more affluent peers. The following strategies we implement provide a high standard of education and support that enables each student to excel as a successful and responsible citizen.

Our Approach to Learning is exceptionally unique. We support mastery-based learning in four distinct ways: Content, Concepts, Continuous Improvement, and Research & Development.

Content: Our approach to content is personalized. Each student’s education is developed and shaped by the student working with our team. The education experience is customized to the student’s academic path and pace whenever possible. We leverage blended learning as an essential tool in an effective personalized strategy.
Concepts: Our approach to concepts is based on Inquiry and Mastery. Meaningful inquiry gives direction to student projects. Concepts, “the big ideas,” are explored through inquiry arcs. The inquiry connects knowledge from core skills to context and concepts. Questions are geared toward solving real-world problems. As a result, students develop the skills to create meaningful investigations themselves. Learning and advancing through our curriculum happens when students have adequately mastered target objectives, concepts, and abilities. In most schools, time spent learning is constant, while the quality and level of content mastery vary. At IPS, the opposite is true: learning time is variable, but all students’ quality and level of proficiency are constant.
Continuous Improvement: Our approach to continuous improvement is based on assessment and analysis. The learning path is informed by diagnostic, formative, and summative evaluation, goal tracking, many one-on-one conferences with teachers, and a review of data from online tools. In addition, qualitative and quantitative assessment data is shared with students and parents continuously and during student-led parent-teacher conferences.
Research & Development: We monitor existing and new findings in education research and learning science to inform our programmatic choices. We continuously reflect on our successes, challenges, student outcomes, and stakeholder feedback. We also commit to agile iteration to improve our program and share our learning broadly.

The architecture of Learning is an experience that is imperative to our students’ growth and success. Their learning experience is divided into five physical characteristics: Independence Levels, Student Agency, Extended Year-Extended Day, Mixed Age / Peer Learning, and Community Learning.

Independence Levels: We organize students by independence level to support student autonomy. At Icon, we use a combination of age and academic ability to group students by independence. Students are given as much structure and support as they need to be successful in their academic and character growth.
Student Agency: Students take ownership of their education. We believe in creating a platform for students to develop their ability to take action, assume responsibility for their behavior in a safe learning environment, and apply it in unfamiliar situations. To support the development of student agency, students learn how to set meaningful goals and hold themselves accountable for their learning and personal development. As a result, students own their knowledge and have a voice in their school experience.
Extended Year, Extended Day: We provide a substantive learning environment for an extended year and day schedule. We aim to coordinate immersive learning opportunities at Icon Prep during school breaks. Students may find it necessary to work on their goals outside of the school day or space, but we do not assign mandatory daily homework. We believe students need time for family, rest, and interests outside of school.
Mixed Age / Peer Learning: Students learn from each other and teach one another. Older students learn how to be teachers to our younger students through regularly scheduled interactions in which they both give and receive feedback. The mixed-age setting fosters collaboration and impactful relationships rather than competition.
Community Learning: Students receive mentorship from community members, preparing them for apprenticeships and internships. Students learn from the community through guest speakers, field studies, and community service. Students exhibit their work to a public audience multiple times yearly to give back to the community and learn from their feedback and expertise.

Icon Preparatory School Programs

Our after-school programs are a beacon of educational enrichment, providing a nurturing and dynamic environment for students in low-income communities. We take a comprehensive approach to academic support, offering tailored assistance for struggling students in core subjects. Our dedicated team of certified educators and tutors provides targeted homework help, individualized tutoring sessions, and engaging enrichment activities that reinforce classroom learning. Beyond traditional academics, we also recognize the importance of fostering a well-rounded skill set through diverse enrichment activities, including arts and crafts, STEM projects, and sports. Our students have the opportunity to discover and develop their unique talents, instilling a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom. Our feeding programs provide nutritious snacks and meals, which address food insecurity and promote healthy habits. This holistic approach enhances both physical and mental well-being among our students.

Student Benefits:

Academic Improvement:
• Increased academic performance and grades among participating students.
• Higher attendance rates and reduced absenteeism indicate improved engagement with education.

Health and Nutrition:
• Improved overall health and nutrition among students, evidenced by better eating habits and access to nutritious snacks and meals after school.

Homework Completion:
• Consistent completion of homework assignments, indicating the program’s effectiveness in providing academic support.

Increased Literacy and Numeracy Skills:
• Improved literacy and numeracy skills, demonstrated through standardized test scores and assessments.

Enhanced Social Skills:
• Development of strong social skills, including teamwork, communication, and conflict resolution, leading to positive peer interactions.

Reduced Behavioral Issues:
• Decreased disciplinary incidents and behavioral issues in school, showcasing the program’s positive impact on students’ behavior.

Skill Development:
• Acquisition of new skills and talents, such as artistic abilities, sportsmanship, or technological proficiency, showcasing the program’s diverse enrichment opportunities.

Mentorship and Role Models:
• Formation of positive mentor-mentee relationships, providing students with strong role models and guidance for personal and academic development.

Marching Rattlers

Icon Prep’s drumline and majorettes, known as the Marching Rattlers, are the staple supplemental after-school organization on Icon Prep’s campus. In just three short years, the Marching Rattlers have become the most prominent school drumline in the United States, with over seventy-five percussionists and sixty dancers. Nearly 1/3 of the school are members of the Marching Rattlers. The Marching Rattler organization provides students with opportunities to foster, develop, and improve performing arts abilities. In addition, students participating in the Marching Rattlers promote community engagement and provide a professional learning experience. Data has shown that students involved in the arts have higher mathematics grades and standardized test scores due to the high-level cognitive processing skills involved in playing music. This after-school program offers skills development, masterclasses, and performance opportunities, offering strong cultural support and community connections. The Marching Rattler Programs provide a comprehensive classroom learning experience coupled with hands-on performance opportunities. In addition, all students are provided with the opportunity to participate in after-school performances and touring companies that perform throughout the region.

The Dance Program offers instruction in modern and social dance (hip-hop). After school, our students meet five days a week, Monday through Friday. This classical style of dance teaches grace through movement and strength through poise. We help our students develop technique, flexibility, body awareness, and discipline – enjoyably and dynamically. Hip-Hop is easily one of the most publicized and well-known dance forms in today’s culture. Our classes expose students to different Hip-Hop forms, teaching them how to dance to the beat of the music, strengthen coordination, work as a team, and take direction.
The Drumline Program offers fundamental instruction for the marching percussion section. Besides having fun, this ensemble teaches young students from 2nd to 8th grade the value of teamwork, discipline, and the foundations of musicianship. Instructors teach basic strokes, timing, two-height control, and rolls. These exercises were specifically designed to provide the beginning to intermediate drumline with a solid foundation for building individual and ensemble techniques. This group embodies the soulful, high-stepping style of the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) and the (movement) stepping choreography seated in the traditions of black Greek steppers.

Due to our tremendous growth and exposure, we had the privilege to showcase their skills and perform at the following events:
• The only elementary and middle school band selected to perform at WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil’s Back to School Battle of the Bands at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fl
• The Bethune Cookman University Homecoming Parade in Daytona Beach, Fl
• The Edward Waters University Homecoming Parade in Jacksonville, Fl
• The Florida A&M University Homecoming Parade in Tallahassee, Fl
• The Joy of Giving Holiday Parade in Tampa, Fl
• The MLK Parade in St. Petersburg, Fl
• The Strawberry Festival Parade in Plant City, Fl
• The Annual Jazz in the Gardens Showcase in Tampa, Fl
• Youth Super Bowl Fest in Tampa, Fl
• HBCU Band Fest in Augusta, Ga
• Orange Blossom Classic Parade with Florida A&M University and Jackson State University in Miami, Fl

Total Project Budget: $3,421,379.00

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Uber, CVS Health, Walmart, Wawa, Tampa Bay Rays, Publix, Uber Eats, Panera Bread, Covelli Family, Chipotle, TPC Tampa Bay, Rubio’s Coastal Grill, McDonald’s, Caspers Company, Tampa Bay Lightning, 4 Rivers Smokehouse, Rollin Oats – South Tampa, FIT4MOM, CinéBistro, Museum of Science and Industry, Morean Arts Center, Chuy’s Restaurants, Ross Dress for Less, Southeastern Grocers, Winn-Dixie, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, Zevia, Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts, Mahaffey Theater, Duke Energy Center, 4imprint.com, One by One Foundation, Oriental Trading, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Nora Roberts Foundation, Suncoast Credit Union Foundation, Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Sustany® Foundation, TEGNA Foundation, WTSP Channel 10 Tampa Bay, Community Foundation Tampa Bay, Rotary Club of Tampa, First Horizon Foundation, Dollar General Literacy Foundation, Harry Chapin Foundation, TD Charitable Foundation, Cordelia Lee Beatie Foundation, OutSchool.Org, DeBartolo Family Foundation, McDonald’s Golden Grants Program, Cleveland Browns, Acoustic For A Change, National Christian Foundation, D’Addario Foundation, and the ALDI Community Gift Card Program.

Project Duration: Year-Round
Geographical Area Served: Tampa, Florida
Age Group To Be Served: Kindergarten through 8th Grade

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Dr.
Contact First Name: Dwayne
Contact Last Name: Raiford
Contact Title: President
Contact Phone: 8139678300
Contact Email: iconprepdevelopment@gmail.com