NIKE, Inc. announces $1.5 million in grants from the Nike School Innovation Fund (NSIF) with the support of two-time Olympic Medalist and Nike athlete Ashton Eaton. Recently retired from sport, Ashton has turned his focus to lending his voice to elevate the efforts of NSIF and champion Oregon students and their futures.
The Nike School Innovation Fund is awarding 100 Oregon high schools a total of $1.5 million in grants with the goal of increasing graduation rates, closing the achievement gap and helping all students in Oregon prepare for future success. Nike’s new two-minute film on the Nike School Innovation Fund featuring Eaton, captures the impact of NSIF’s work with teachers and students.
“As the first in my family to go to college, and a native Oregonian, I believe every student can graduate and achieve their dreams, and Nike does too,” says Eaton in the introduction to the film.
In a recent visit to an 11th and 12th grade AVID class at Churchill High School in Eugene, Eaton shared how education shaped his future and encouraged students to own their futures and pursue their dreams: “When I learned that one in four high school students aren’t making it to high school graduation on time or at all, I wanted to get involved.” His visit to the school jump-started his exploration of how to help Oregon high school students and educators. Just a short distance from where he studied Psychology and trained to be the best in world at the University of Oregon, Eaton urged students to “find what you love and give it everything.”
That’s Nike’s message, too. “We believe all kids deserve the chance to graduate ready for their future, and that’s why we’re investing in Oregon schools through the Nike School Innovation Fund,” said Vanessa Wilkins, North America Community Impact Director at Nike. “Oregon is working hard to help more students graduate from high school and we’re excited to be part of the solution.”
The Impact of the Nike School Innovation:
Nike is committed to supporting Oregon schools and through the Nike School Innovation Fund has invested $5 million to high schools over the last three years to positively impact kids in our state and to help make Oregon schools among the best in the country. In 2015, 50 high schools were awarded grants to implement or expand the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program, a national education platform built on best practices, school-wide. Last year, 71 high schools received grants. This year, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Nike School Innovation Fund, Nike expanded the program to support 100 schools. With the addition of the 2017-2018 grant recipients, this funding supports training for over 2,000 teachers and more than 100,000 students throughout Oregon, reflecting more than 57% of the state’s high-school population.
The Power of AVID:
NSIF is in its third year of partnering with AVID, based on the program’s proven results and input from school leaders across Oregon. AVID’s research-based strategies and curriculum provide educators with training to better prepare students for success in high school, college or a career — especially students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education. A full 99 percent of AVID students graduate from high school on time with the skills, academic behaviors and knowledge needed to succeed in college and beyond.
According to Greg Borgerding, principal of Churchill High School, the AVID program has significantly impacted students at his school, with 100% of his AVID students graduating from high school over the past 3 years. “I’ve seen AVID open doors and help kids visualize what their future will look like. It’s pretty remarkable watching kids in the program find themselves and discover their potential for after high school.”
2017-18 Recipients of the Nike School Innovation Fund Grants:
1. Academy of International Studies, Woodburn
2. Alliance High School, Portland
3. Aloha High School, Aloha
4. Arts & Communication Magnet Academy, Beaverton
5. Beaverton High School, Beaverton
6. Benson Polytechnic High School, Portland
7. Canby High School, Canby
8. Cascade Senior High School, Turner
9. Central High School, Independence
10. Central Linn High School, Halsey
11. Century High School, Hillsboro
12. Chiloquin High School, Chiloquin
13. Churchill High School, Eugene
14. Clackamas High School, Clackamas
15. Cleveland High School, Portland
16. Community High School, Beaverton
17. Corvallis High School, Corvallis
18. Crater Academy of Health & Public Services, Central Point
19. Crater Renaissance Academy, Central Point
20. Crescent Valley High School, Corvallis
21. Crook County High School, Prineville
22. Culver High School, Culver
23. Dallas High School, Dallas
24. Dayton High School, Dayton
25. Eagle Point High School, Eagle Point
26. Early College High School, Salem
27. Forest Grove High School, Forest Grove
28. Franklin High School, Portland
29. Gervais High School, Gervais
30. Gilchrist Junior/Senior High School, Gilchrist
31. Gladstone High School, Gladstone
32. Glencoe High School, Hillsboro
33. Grant High School, Portland
34. Grants Pass High School, Grants Pass
35. Gresham High School, Gresham
36. Harrisburg High School, Harrisburg
37. Health & Science School, Beaverton
38. Hillsboro High School, Hillsboro
39. Hood River Valley High School, Hood River
40. International School of Beaverton
41. Jefferson High School, Portland
42. Jewell School District, Jewell
43. John F. Kennedy High School, Mount Angel
44. Klamath Union High School, Klamath Falls
45. Knappa High School, Knappa
46. La Pine Senior High School, La Pine
47. Lakeview High School, Lakeview
48. Lebanon High School, Lebanon
49. Liberty High School, Hillsboro
50. Lincoln High School, Portland
51. Madison High School, Portland
52. Madras High School, Madras
53. Marshall High School, Bend
54. Marshfield Senior High School, Coos Bay
55. Mapleton High School, Mapleton
56. McKay High School, Salem
57. McLoughlin High School, Milton-Freewater
58. McMinnville High School, McMinnville
59. McNary High School, Salem
60. Metropolitan Learning Center, Portland
61. Milwaukie High School, Milwaukie
62. Mountainside High School, Beaverton
63. New Urban High School, Milwaukie
64. Newberg High School, Newberg
65. Newport High School, Newport
66. North Eugene High School, Eugene
67. North Medford High School, Medford
68. North Salem High School, Salem
69. Oregon City High School, Oregon City
70. Parkrose High School, Portland
71. Philomath High School, Philomath
72. Rex Putnam High School, Milwaukie
73. Reynolds High School, Troutdale
74. Ridgeview High School, Redmond
75. Roosevelt High School, Portland
76. Sam Barlow High School, Gresham
77. Scio High School, Scio
78. Sheldon High School, Eugene
79. Siletz Valley Early College Academy, Siletz
80. Sisters High School, Sisters
81. South Albany High School, Albany
82. South Eugene High School, Eugene
83. South Medford High School, Medford
84. South Salem High School, Salem
85. Southridge High School, Beaverton
86. Sprague High School, Salem
87. St. Helens High School, St. Helens
88. Stayton High School, Stayton
89. Sunset High School, Beaverton
90. Taft High School, Lincoln City
91. The Dalles-Wahtonka High School, The Dalles
92. Tigard High School, Tigard
93. Toledo Junior/Senior High School, Toledo
94. Tualatin High School, Tualatin
95. Vernonia High School, Vernonia
96. Waldport High School, Waldport
97. West Salem High School, Salem
98. Westview High School, Portland
99. Wilson High School, Portland
100. Woodburn Academy of Art, Science and Technology, Woodburn
