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Current Students

Now that you’re a member of the Student Sponsor Partners family, you have access to a quality high school education, mentorship, and resources and people who want to ensure your success.

Welcome, Scholars

Take advantage of this resource center to learn about expectations to maintain your scholarship, know who to reach out to with questions, and get tips and resources. This includes support during high school and in preparation for college.

Looking for college and career resources? Please visit our College & Career hub.

Your Support System

Your Student Sponsor Partners support system includes your sponsor, mentor, school coordinator, engagement manager, and friends and family.

  • Having a mentor to support you throughout high school is what makes our model so unique and successful. Students meet their mentors in freshman year and these relationships continue to grow long after high school. You are expected to meet with your mentor 4-6 times each year and communicate at least once a month via text, phone, or email.
  • Your school coordinator is an employee of the school you attend – a teacher, counselor, or administrator – and is your Student Sponsor Partners liaison. You can go to your school coordinator to learn about tutoring opportunities, discuss issues at school, and find out about other resources.
  • Your engagement manager is a designated staff member who you can reach out to directly with questions or concerns about school, your college plans, your mentorship relationship, and more. These individuals will check in with you and fellow students to see how things are going.
  • Resources available to support you throughout high school including webinars and workshops.

Expectations

In addition to adhering to your school’s rules including attendance, dress and behavior codes, and respecting teachers and peers, you must also observe Student Sponsor Partners’ guidelines. Please review our Student Guidebook (en español), which you acknowledged upon entry into our programs.

Main highlights include:

  • Students must be active in the mentor relationship. Students should initiate contact with their mentors rather than waiting for them. If students are unresponsive to their mentors, their place in Student Sponsor Partners could be put in jeopardy.
  • Students must meet the academic requirements of their school and Student Sponsor Partners. These requirements are explained at our Orientation and at the school’s Summer Readiness Program.

FAQs

HOW DO I ADJUST TO MY NEW SCHOOL?

  • Be proactive! Ask and answer questions in class, even when you’re unsure, and request extra help when you need it.
  • Get involved in your school by joining extracurriculars and sports. These are great ways to hone in on your skills and make new friends.
  • Organize yourself with labeled notebooks and your daily planner to keep track of assignments. 
  • Keep a record of how long it takes you to complete homework and study for exams for different classes so that you know how much time to schedule for those classes in the future.
  • Establish a regular time and place for studying.
  • Use flash cards or summary sheets to study.
  • Study old exams and focus on questions answered wrong.

I AM STRUGGLING ACADEMICALLY IN SCHOOL. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

If you are struggling academically, there are a number of resources to help you improve:

  • Ask teachers for extra help. They want to see you succeed!
  • Attend tutoring or study groups after school.
  • Speak with your school coordinator and/or principal to learn about other resources offered through your school.
  • Talk with your mentor and engagement manager for advice and resources too.
  • Khan Academy also has educational tools to help you with your academics.

HOW WILL STUDENT SPONSOR PARTNERS SUPPORT ME IN GETTING PREPARED TO APPLY AND GO TO COLLEGE?

Student Sponsor Partners offers a comprehensive College and Career Success program to prepare students for college and beyond. This includes helping you set goals and tactics for long-term success, providing SAT preparation classes and practice exams, and supporting students with the college search (including visits) and application process. Visit our College & Career hub!

CAN I TRANSFER TO ANOTHER PARTNER SCHOOL?

Student Sponsor Partners aims to provide the best learning experience for each student – one where students perform to their full potential in a consistent, comprehensive, and uninterrupted environment. It is because of this that Student Sponsor Partners has a no-transfer policy with the following exceptions:

  • School closings
  • Safety concerns
  • Distance due to family relocation
  • Academic fit (students need additional resources the current school does not provide including IEP services)

 

The Student Sponsor Partners scholarship will only transfer to an existing partner school. If the student and family decide to transfer to a non-Student Sponsor Partners affiliated school, they agree to forfeit the scholarship.

MY MENTOR IS NOT BEING RESPONSIVE. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Notify your school coordinator and/or engagement manager immediately. Share your last date and method of contact.

HOW DO I PROPERLY THANK MY SPONSOR AND MENTOR FOR THEIR SUPPORT?

Focusing on your schoolwork and doing well is the best way to thank you sponsor and mentor. Sponsors and mentors will receive periodic updates about your grades and involvement at school. Please remember to submit updates about your high school experience to your school coordinator and engagement manager.

On occasion, the Student Sponsor Partners Development Team will reach out to students and families to meet a sponsor.

NEW: iMentor Platform

We’re excited to partner with iMentor to support and guide your experience through SSP and your mentorships! On iMentor, you’ll be able to respond to SSP monthly lessons on your own and with your mentor once matched, chat directly with your mentor on the web version and/or mobile app, and RSVP for SSP-hosted events and more. Its secure online chat also ensures student safety and will allow the SSP team to support each pair more effectively. SSP students are required to engage and respond to prompts on this new platform.

Currently, freshmen and their mentors are being onboarded. For upperclassmen, stay tuned for more information in the coming months!

Click here to get familiar with the platform functions and expectations as an SSP mentor. You can also view this video walk-through here and reach out to mfaddoul@sspnyc.org with any questions.

College and Career Prep

Visit our College & Career hub for tips and tools to help you prepare for success! There’s also information about scholarships and internships.

College & Career Hub

Represent Student Sponsor Partners

You’re an example of the power of our program, so be proud to be a member of the Student Sponsor Partners family! We encourage you to spread the word about our programs and your success with your peers by sharing your story and progress on social media (tag us @sspnewyork!). This can include a post about your mentor relationship or an activity at school. You can also share your story with us directly via this form.

Events

Check out the latest student events we have on our calendar – these include workshops, SAT class offerings, college visits, and more!

Events