ARISE Foundation
Alliance for Recognition of
Innovation in
School Excellence
Lee County School District Home Page
The Alliance for Recognition of Innovation in School Excellence (ARISE) is a non-profit organization designed to enhance the educational opportunities offered each child by the Lee County School System. The primary function of the ARISE Foundation is to raise money from corporations, businesses, other foundations and individuals for the purpose of awarding grants to staff members exhibiting excellence in educational endeavors.
The ARISE Foundation also awards college scholarships to deserving high school seniors who plan to major in education and become future teachers.
The groundwork for ARISE began in 1997 when a community leader wanted to give a scholarship to a graduating senior planning to study education in the Lee County, Alabama School System. The ARISE Foundation Articles of Incorporation were filed on the 17th of June, 1997. Following the Alabama Education Initiative program sponsored by Alabama Power Company, ARISE was determined to be a 501C3 Foundation in February 1999.
Since that time, the size of our county school system and students has more than doubled. Much of this growth has resulted from families moving from urban to rural areas and the good reputation of Lee County schools. We currently educate nearly 10,000 students with the expectation of several thousand more students being enrolled in the next few years due to the Defense Base Closure & Realignment Commission (BRAC) at nearby Ft. Benning, Georgia.
Our goals through the years have changed, as well. ARISE began with one graduating senior scholarship for $1,500. Currently, we have a Mission Statement that supports scholarships in each of our four Secondary Schools for graduating seniors planning on pursuing education. We also administer grants to deserving teachers from each of our twelve schools who exhibit excellence in educational endeavors in the classroom. Teachers requests grants in a variety of areas including science and technology, mathematics, social science, learning centers and creativity, and many are directed toward literacy and the Arts.
The ARISE Foundation wants students to continue learning without financial barriers, and we also want our teachers to be able to teach, reach and inspire children. In 2009, the ARISE Foundation awarded eight scholarships (one of them being a four year scholarship) and over $15,000 in grants to 35 teachers. Our goal is to continue to have these programs grow, to one day be able to fund all deserving grant applications, and to award additional scholarships. Another goal is to expand the enhancement of each school to meet their needs on an individual basis.
Our Board of Directors is a group of dedicated community members who strongly believe we are investing in Alabama’s future. We have no paid members, no paid staff, and all of our time and efforts are donated. Please invest with us.
ARISE FOUNDATION IMPACT ON THE LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS
Number of grants awarded since 1997-1998 ------------ 370
Total monetary value of grants -------------------------- $185,000
Number of scholarships awarded since 1997-1998 ------ 60
Total monetary value of scholarships -------------------- $77,000
LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS AS OF 2009-2010 SCHOOL YEAR |
||
ATTENDANCE AREA |
# TEACHERS |
# STUDENTS |
| Beauregard / Sanford | 255 |
2,125 |
| Beulah | 161 |
1470 |
| Loachapoka | 107 |
620 |
| Smiths Station / Wacoochee | 604 |
5,539 |
TOTAL |
1,123 |
9,754 |
Download ARISE Newsletter - Dec-08
"Good public education benefits every sector of society. The best way to make a difference in Alabama’s education is to create a partnership among our communities, our schools, our corporate and civic leaders and our state and local government officials. By investing in education, we are investing in Alabama’s future."