CENTER FOR SUCCESS FOR HIGH NEED SCHOOLS
Where leading educators partner and collaborate to advance teaching and learning for all children.
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Together We Can Change the World
Center Partners share human and financial resources to develop working task force groups. The task forces meet monthly to examine policy initiatives, develop research agendas, recommend local policies, programs and practices, and take action to advance teaching and learning in high need schools.
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Help Us Grow Our Mission
Contribute an article to our journal, attend our partnership and task force collaborations, join our professional development network, engage with learning labs, and/or donate.
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About the Center for Success

The Center for Success advances equitable educational opportunities through a two-pronged model that brings higher education institutions, PK–12 schools, nonprofits, and civic-minded organizations together as practice and innovation partners to strengthen and enrich teacher and leader preparation programs while providing meaningful, direct services in underserved communities. Through these partnerships, the Center creates reciprocal learning opportunities that benefit PK–12 students through engaging academic, cultural, and enrichment experiences and preservice teacher candidates through authentic, community-based internships throughout the summer and academic year. By connecting research, preparation, practice, and community engagement, the Center prepares future educators and leaders to serve high-need schools and communities while expanding pathways to postsecondary success for the students and families they serve.
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Collaborate

Center Partnership and Task Forces
Participate in online monthly Center Partnership and Task Force meetings which convene more than 40 deans, chairs, directors, and education faculty, as well as PK-12 administrators and teachers and leading educators to explore key issues in preparation, practice, teaching, learning, and leadership. Our current work includes advocating for equity and diversity, literacy, implementing culturally responsive practices, growing teacher leadership, and effecting rigorous recruitment, clinical preparation and retention policies and practices.

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Connect

Center Journal
"Voices for Educational Equity" showcases national and international work in education by publishing articles addressing research, clinical practice, and policy matters associated with Pre-K-12 education in under-resourced communities and providing professional development for practicing teachers, leaders and teacher educators.

Current Issue

Empower

Professional Development Network (PDN) The PDN promotes ongoing professional learning and teacher retention in high-need schools by providing teachers and leaders with a network of colleagues and resources. The PDN offers six strands of learning through webinars hosted online and in person by Center colleges and universities and leaders in education.  The PDN is open to all teachers and leaders especially those serving marginalized students. PDN professional learning introduces education stakeholders to new research and policies, Center partners, and evidence-based practices in literacy, technology, social and emotional learning, culturally relevant/sustaining pedagogy, teacher leadership and meeting the needs of Illinois’ increasingly diverse student body.  PDN concludes each academic year with a full-day Annual Conference featuring education leaders from across the country.

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Explore

Junior/Senior Scholars; Promise Teacher Corps The Center empowers students from multiple colleges and universities - education majors and others interested in advancing education for historically marginalized students to engage in authentic experiences that provide access, resources and opportunities for both groups to grow and learn throughout the academic year and the summer, and from year to year. PK-12 students are provided with year round supports - weekly, monthly, and summer enrichment including tutoring, college visits, book club and literature circles, panels, enrichment events like coding and chess classes, speakers, after school and evening study groups, homework help and summer STEAM camps that support the PK-12 scholars to succeed in their school classes; be curious, creative, and innovative thinkers; and engage in thinking about and planning for college and career.

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Testimonials

The Center for Success in High Need Schools and the Junior Senior Scholars Program have opened my eyes to the many inequities in our education system.  Each week, I interact with students who are passionate about their education, their future, and their career paths.  However, many of these students do not have sufficient resources to make their dreams come true. The Center Partnership speakers, resources, and connections have given me the supports I can provide students to reach their dreams and achieve their aspirations.
Robin C.
The Center for Success in High Needs Schools has taught me to fight for equity where equity often fails and to always seek to inspire students who may have trouble finding hope for their futures.  Through my work with high school students as a Junior/Senior Scholars team leader and professional learning through the Center, I have learned that students are most inspired when they are heard and understood.  I have learned and applied that I cannot simply tutor, mentor, or teach in the traditional way that I was taught.  I must take a few steps outside of tradition so that I can meet the students where they are academically, socially, and emotionally.  In the wise words of James Comer, “No significant learning can occur without a significant relationship.”  Without the Center and JSS, my teaching philosophy would not comprise this awareness.
Giuliano C.
My daughter comes home always very excited and motivated talking about going to college. She is more confident about participating in a community and working in a group. She loves the energy between you and Dr. Fitz. She never wanted to miss a day or be late. We thank you for all that you do for our family, our girl, and students in Aurora. We are blessed with your hard work and support. Marisol N.
Marisol N.CEO
Junior Senior Scholars helps me and my family and we are very happy about this program because it helps my kids have dreams and learn new things, encourages them to continue studying after school and provides a lot of information and teachers them in different areas.
Fabiold LCEO
My son loves the fun learning environment and all the hands on topics and experiments.
Anonymous parentCEO
JSS keeps my 2 children in tune with what they want to do academically & JSS keeps them engaged in being College Bound! JSS pushes my son to learn and expand his creativity and learn more about science.
Comments from our most recent parent surveyCEO
Overall, this internship had a meaningful impact on both my personal and professional growth. I gained hands-on experience that helped me build confidence in my abilities and pushed me out of my comfort zone. I learned how to manage my time better, communicate more effectively, and take initiative in unfamiliar situations. Most importantly, I discovered more about what I enjoy, what I’m good at, and the kind of work environment I thrive in. This experience helped me grow not just as a student or intern, but as a more focused and capable individual.
Summer Camp Promise Teacher InternCEO
This internship has greatly deepened my understanding of my students and the unique experiences they bring into the classroom. By allowing myself to be vulnerable and creating a space where we openly and respectfully discuss our beliefs and values, I’ve been able to foster a brave and inclusive community where we grow together … They’ve learned to treat one another with respect and embrace the differences that make each person unique. Our classroom is now a place where every student feels seen, valued, and supported.
Summer Program Intern 2025CEO

Collaborate

As a member of one of the Center’s Task Forces you can learn about and share highly successful programs, policies, and practices; advocate and impact local, statewide, and national policy and practices. Task forces include Project LEAD (Leaders in Education Advocating Diversity; Teacher Leadership; Professional Development Network; and Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards Task Force.

learn more about these and join!

Help Us Grow Our Mission

Contribute an article to our journal, attend our partnership meetings, join our professional development network, engage with learning labs, and/or donate.

Give

We are a non-profit and welcome any and all gifts to support our work in High Need Schools.

Donate

Teach

Participate in the Professional Development Network

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Partner

View our calendar for these partnership opportunities

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Our Sponsors

We are very grateful to our wonderful sponsors!

Our Achievements

In the past year 27,964 higher education faculty, candidates, PK-12 teachers, teacher leaders,
administrators and students have been reached through Center events.

Given the critical policies the Center reviewed and endorsed are now under consideration at the local and state level, we may positively impact an even greater number of educators, families, and students during these unprecedented circumstances of Covid-19 and beyond.

Upcoming Events

students learning

Junior Senior Scholars and Promise Teacher Interns

The Center empowers BOTH pre-service college students in education who will be teaching in high need schools and PK-12 students enrolled in high-need schools with experiential education that provides access, resources and opportunities to both groups to grow and learn throughout the academic year and the summer, and from year to year.

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students walking

Ongoing Task Force Groups

The task force groups offer ongoing opportunities to address critical issues in education, distribute information, and recommend policy. Please join us for one or all of the task force meetings.

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hands together

Center Partnership

The Partnership and Task Force groups offer ongoing opportunities to address critical issues in education, distribute information, and recommend policy. 

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people at table

The Professional Development Network

How are leading educators taking action for positive change? Find out at theCenter for Success’ Professional Development Network (PDN).

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Become a Donor

The Center is a 501 (c) 3 organization and all donations are a tax deductible.  Your gift supports collaboration that advances education in High Need Schools. Thank you for your generosity.


Donate Today

Collaborate

Center Partnership and Task Forces

Participate in online monthly Center Partnership and Task Force meetings which convene more than 40 deans, chairs, directors, and education faculty, as well as PK-12 administrators and teachers and leading educators to explore key issues in preparation, practice, teaching, learning, and leadership. Our current work includes advocating for equity and diversity, implementing culturally responsive practices, growing teacher leadership, and effecting rigorous recruitment, clinical preparation and retention policies and practices.

The Center’s Task Forces are working groups that convene leading
PK-20 educators to advance critical education initiatives by bringing the best known research forward and collaborating on evidence-based practices and policies to implement in education preparation and practice programs. The Center’s working task force teams include:

  • Literacy
  • Teacher Leader
  • Diverse Pipeline:  Project LEAD (Leaders in Education Advocating for Diversity)
  • Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards
  • Professional Learning
  • Mathematics
  • Special Education

Center Partners are encouraged to join one or more task
force groups.

Explore

The Center empowers students from multiple colleges and universities – education majors and others interested in advancing education for historically marginalized students to engage in authentic experiences that provide access, resources and opportunities for both groups to grow and learn throughout the academic year and the summer, and from year to year. PK-12 students are provided with year round supports – weekly, monthly, and summer enrichment including tutoring, college visits, book club and literature circles, panels, enrichment events like coding and chess classes, speakers, after school and evening study groups, homework help and summer STEAM camps that support the PK-12 scholars to succeed in their school classes; be curious, creative, and innovative thinkers; and engage in thinking about and planning for college and career.

Preservice college students facilitate the PK-12 activities and events and in doing so learn through their experience about how youth grow and develop in all areas socially and emotionally, physically, and cognitively. In addition, they learn how to build relationships, motivate and engage youth, how to communicate effectively with parents, how to establish a safe learning environment and how to teach a variety of curricula using evidence-based practices. And they learn about some of the challenges and barriers in excluded/underresourced communities and how to support their students as they deal proactively with them. Pre-service college students volunteer during the academic year to garner field experience hours for their resumes, meet honor society requirements or required field hours for classes. In the summer, college students may apply for a summer internship. The internships includes training and coaching before, during and after the internship experience and includes all necessary resources to use with the students in the program.

If you are a preservice or beginning teacher eager to serve students in our experiential learning lab, email jan@center4success.com. To see pictures from the JSS Camp and Internship, click this link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xjxe5JepY3xYGoKCHPZvZoe02SSSusOtKET2WqsQEGI/edit#slide=id.g27711875a38_0_0