The Academic Mentoring Program (AMP), funded by the Zimmerman Foundation, is designed to encourage middle school students to maintain academic success with the support and assistance of college students. Students are accepted into AMP as 6^th graders and remain in the program until they graduate from the 8^th grade. The intent is that students reach higher levels of achievement so they can eventually complete high school with a strong academic foundation. College students working as mentors provide young students with an exposure to the possibilities within learning and higher levels of education.

The Academic Mentoring Program at Sacred Heart University first began during the academic year of 2001/2002. During that year, 6^th grade students at John Winthrop School began building an academic and social relationship with Sacred Heart University sophomores. The goal of the program is to pair two students with one mentor for what would be the beginning of a three-year commitment, on the part of both mentor and mentee.

• Encourage middle school students to aspire to higher education levels and to graduate from high school
• Reduce high school “drop out” rates
• Remediate competency in two foundational skill areas: language skills and mathematics quantitative skills
• Build self-confidence and positive social values in tutored students
• Develop an appreciation among college students for the teaching profession

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