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 two-time Olympic Medalist and Nike athlete Ashton Eaton, captures the impact of NSIF’s work with teachers and students.

https://youtu.be/DvmAhqP4vSo

“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,” said 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 the 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

Image courtesy Nike