The See Forever Foundation creates learning communities in lower-income urban areas where all students, particularly those who have not succeeded in traditional schools, can reach their potential.

Synopsis:

See Forever is a considerably stronger organization than it was in 2002, transforming itself from an organization running a small charter school to a high-impact institution managing a multi-campus system. Its effectiveness and sustainability have increased substantially as well. Despite delays in establishing its senior management team and a key partnership, they are well on their way to reaching their aspiration of tripling the number of children served with a distinctive curriculum and improved student outcomes.

Key Accomplishments:

See Forever's improved effectiveness resulted in nearly tripling students served over three years, growing from 85 to 230; a graduation rate of 92% in 2005; and the opening of a second school. See Forever greatly improved its curriculum, recruited two experienced principals, two vice principals, and new teachers, and implemented professional development for teachers significantly increasing quality of delivery. It has been recommended for a seven-year accreditation, the maximum allowed, from the Middle States Coalition of Secondary Schools (body responsible for accrediting high schools and colleges on the East Coast). And a precedent-setting partnership with the DC Public Schools greatly benefited the organization on many levels. Other noteworthy accomplishments that contributed to improved capacity and increased effectiveness include:

• Planning and Focus: Completed business planning in January 2003, facilitated by McKinsey & Co., resulting in a well-defined expansion plan for opening new campuses, improving performance, and building their operations to support a multi-site school.

• Human Capital-Board and Management

  • Built senior management team, with Chief Operating Officer, Development Director, and Chief Information Officer fully integrated.

  • Inactive board rebuilt into solid board of engaged, skilled individuals.

• Capitalization/Revenue: Partnership with DC Public Schools (DCPS) resulted in capital savings of an estimated $9.6 million for new school facility. Support from new partners CharityWorks, the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation (EMCF), Gates Foundation, Walton Foundation, Commonweal Foundation, and federal earmarks two years in a row totaled $3.5 million.

• Outcome Assessment: With the support of the EMCF, created detailed performance assessment system, and now in process of implementing across two campuses.

• Innovative Partnership: Partnership with DCPS set model for region of public school/charter school collaboration.

Key Information

Date, years, and stage of VPP Investment:	July 2002; 3.5 years (later-stage; partially funded)
Capital committed and disbursed by VPP:	$2,443,000 committed; $1,488,000 disbursed
Estimated children to be served in 2010:	600
Revenue increase & % budget growth:	$3.0 to $7.2 million - 140% in three years
Leveraged funding:	$13.1 million
Expansion to new places and coverage:	One new school