Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Icon Preparatory School Jacksonville
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 1470 West 13th Street
City: Jacksonville
State: Fl.
Postal Code: 32209
Main Phone: 9045521005
Main Fax:
Organization Website: Jacksonville.IconPrep.Org
Employer ID Number: 84-4181923
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 Jacksonville Programs
Project Description:

Icon Preparatory School Jacksonville is seeking support for our Icon Preparatory School Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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.

Organizational History, Mission, and Vision

Icon Preparatory School Jacksonville is a non-profit corporation founded by Dr. Dwayne Raiford, Ms. Lolita Jackson, Mr. Maurice Green, Ms. Monique Mills, Mr. Justin Smith, and Mr. Yuri Higgins. Icon Prep Jacksonville is the Best Boss Group USA 2024, Charter/Private School of the Year. Icon Preparatory educates over 400 children in grades K-8. Icon Prep is open to any student in Florida and is committed to closing the achievement gap among scholars and more affluent peers. To close the achievement gap among students who live in underserved communities, Icon Prep’s Leadership Team aims to educate students who attend schools that have traditionally been underserved. With the belief that a student’s zip code does not determine their destination, Icon Preparatory School empowers its students to reach their maximum potential, preparing them for life in college and beyond. Combined, the leaders have over seventy years of experience in education. With a leadership team comprised of professionals and seasoned educators who believe that all children can learn and achieve at high levels, Icon Prep’s leadership seeks to change the educational landscape in Florida, offering choice and a high-quality college preparatory education to students in underserved populations.

Mission – Icon Preparatory School Jacksonville’s mission is to provide a comprehensive college preparatory education and character development to students who succeed in college and life.

Vision – Icon Preparatory School Jacksonville exists so all our students are college-ready by graduation.

Community Need

In our community, academic disparities persist due to limited access to quality educational resources. Students face challenges such as insufficient tutoring, a lack of impactful and successful after-school programs, and limited exposure to enrichment activities. Our after-school programs will level the playing field by providing targeted academic support and empowering students to overcome challenges and succeed academically. Unfortunately, many of our families often struggle to afford basic educational necessities, such as school supplies and uniforms. These financial barriers can impede students’ focus on learning. Our programs alleviate these economic challenges by offering free or affordable school supplies, uniforms, and related resources, fostering a conducive learning environment. Nutritional insecurity is a pressing and immediate concern for many of our students, affecting their well-being and ability to concentrate in class. By addressing these challenges, our initiatives aim to create a more equitable educational landscape, empowering individuals to break the cycle of poverty and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Through your support, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of those most in need.

Icon Preparatory School Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville’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: $2,837,754.16

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: Jacksonville, 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: 9045521005
Contact Email: iconprepdevelopmentjax@gmail.com