Program Description
Ypsilanti High School
Bright Futures and G.E.A.R UP have combined their programming to give Ypsilanti High School students the broadest array of opportunities possible to help students achieve academically and socially. We begin in the morning before classes begin by offering students a breakfast snack. Our support continues through the lunch hours by offering students a positive atmosphere in which to eat lunch and hang out with friends. Finally, we end the day with a wide array for programming options for the students. We provide students with academic programs like homework help, ACT preparation, and different forms of mentorship. In addition to academic help, we also believe in the power of positive social interactions for students, so we have implemented programs like community records, a step team, and leadership programs. Following are descriptions of our after-school clubs:
Homework Help: Bright Futures believes in the potential of every student of Ypsilanti High School. We know that students can often use a helping hand when it come to completing homework successfully. Monday thru Thursday, Bright Futures offers homework help for anyone involved in athletics or the Bright Futures program.
Community Records: Community Records is all about giving students an opportunity to express themselves through music. The students involved work together to create the beats, music and lyrics for every song. Everyone involved must learn to listen to one another, compromise, and work together to create each song as they produce each project.
Knowledge about College: Every other Monday, Bright Futures offers every student at Ypsilanti High School the opportunity to plan for college. Through this program students will learn about college application requirements, financial aid, majors and minors, important decisions to consider and much more! Bright Futures is committed to helping students attend college.
Ypsilanti Soul Steppers (Step Team): Building confidence, learning team work and offering exercise are just a few of the advantages Ypsilanti high school members receive when they join the Step Team. Performing at the school and local community events, the step team works very hard every week to showcase their talent! The step team practices every Monday through Thursday.
Young Peoples Project: The Young People’s Project (YPP) is a popular program with students that utilizes multiple partnerships. Every week U of M students come to Ypsilanti high school to work with a select group of students. Together they learn math games, tutoring strategies, and discuss how to make math fun. Then the group goes to area elementary and middle schools to implement the games with young students. In recognition of the work our high school students put into learning and the seriousness with which they teach young students, the program offers monetary compensation for their time. The Young People’s Project is a great example of the power of mentoring.
Art Club: Every Monday students of Ypsilanti High School meet to learn new techniques for expressing themselves through drawing and computer animation.
Men’s Leadership: Lead by male adults, every Wednesday male students are free to discuss topics relevant to their lives. Often the group focuses on discussing issues that can keep the young men from graduating from high school. Identifying these issues and talking them through with positive role models allows the students to address these issues and stay focused on achieving their goals.
Women’s Leadership: Meeting every Thursday, women’s leadership focuses on one topic for an entire month such as personal finances, academics, healthy relationships and other issues to support young women well beyond their high school years. Lead by women, the group utilizes discussions, guest speakers, movies and field trips to expose the students to an ever widening circle of possibilities as they move into adulthood.
ACT Prep: College tests like the ACT can be incredibly intimidating for high school students. Bright Futures has determined to offer programs for students to become acclimated to the test by learning what type of questions are asked and techniques for answering those questions. The goal of the program is to build the confidence of students and lessen any anxiety about the test for successful completion and great scores!
Film Club: Bright Futures Film Club meets every Monday and Thursday. On Mondays the group has the opportunity to gain hands on experience in producing their own movies. Creating public service announcements, and other short films gives the students a voice for discussing issues that concern them the most. Thursdays students screen films and discuss the cinematic techniques used to create those movies, as well as the context of the film itself.
Cooking Club: Every Tuesday students learn new recipes and practice kitchen and food safety, and learn to express themselves in the culinary arts as well as gaining practical skills for adulthood.
Student Advisory Board: Youth voice is an important component of the Bright Futures program. Student representatives from each club meet to share club updates and discuss new directions and plans for clubs and activities.
With student input, Bright Futures is in the process of developing more programs to reach an increasing number of students. Please do not hesitate to inquire about getting involved! Visit us in the Gear Up or the Bright Futures room to join in the fun!