Students
Profiles
Melissa 10th Grader
“This program changed me because I get extra help on school work. It has improved my tests and vocabulary and reading, so when I take a test I do better because I understand what they are asking. I’ve realized that this program is for you to improve and want to go to college. Once I started coming here, I kind of got this feeling that I might make it–because college is really important for my future.
I like the people — everyone who comes here. The tutors, all those people who are so nice — they’re always there if you need help. I remember in seventh grade, when I entered DreamCatchers, math was my hard subject. But in the following years, math became easy. I think it was fractions and decimals because I remember I still have those flashcards my tutor made me. My tutor was awesome at flashcards and giving examples for the problems and then going step by step on each problem, explaining it and comparing it to other related topics. For english, every time we read a paragraph, we would go over that part and talk about it. We would say what we thought and go over what happened and any vocabulary that was difficult to understand. Then at the end, we summarized and talked about the entire thing.
DreamCatchers is an excellent program for those who need help, not just homework, but on trying to plan for the future, for college.”
Adriana and Eunice 10th Grader and 8th Grader
“DreamCatchers’ program has helped us bring up our confidence. Now, we know we have someone there for us to help us, not just do our homework but also mentally progress. It has helped us reach our goals in many ways. It has taught us about being smart: being responsible, intelligent, and be organized and independent. We appreciate our tutors taking time out of their days to help us and support us to do better now and later in life. DreamCatchers is a great program to help kids like us to do better in school. This program has also taught us how to set our goals and to never give up no matter how the big the goal is. There’s always a way to make it up to that path of success. We love DreamCatchers.”
Tatyana 10th Grader
“DreamCatchers to me means being able to get a tutor to help you learn new skills and strategies on how to succeed in skill. For me, I’ve learned a lot from my tutor and gotten better at writing papers for my classes and learning how to look up and take notes.”
How to Apply
DreamCatchers is currently accepting applications from students wishing to enroll for the 2011-12 academic year. We are looking for motivated and committed students who are looking to take advantage of the support and training our program provides. We aim to serve students whose families cannot otherwise afford academic support outside of school.
Eligibility
The following students are eligible to apply:
- 6-8th grade students attending one of the three middle schools in the Palo Alto Unified School District (JLS, Terman or Jordan)
- Returning DreamCatchers Students enrolled in last year’s DreamCatchers program
Deadline
We are currently accepting new students on a rolling basis.
Application Requirements
All students seeking to enroll in our program will be asked to provide the following information:
- Completed DreamCatchers Student Application
- Copy of student’s 2010-11 grade report card
- Proof of Income – one of the following:
- Proof of residence with Palo Alto Housing Corporation
- Free/reduced lunch letter
- CalFresh Card
- Medi-Cal/Healthy Families card
- Copies of 2 pay stubs
- Student interview, focusing on the student’s goals and reasons for wanting to join DreamCatchers
To Apply
To enroll your student, please send your name and phone number to academic.director@dreamcatchersyouth.org, and you will be contacted by phone as soon as possible.
