Our work at Beacon Education is active, informed, and intentional.
We support each individual student by offering opportunities and partnerships that will change their trajectory. Beacon Education, Spark Academy, and GLOW Academy are committed to providing access to equitable, high-quality education for ALL, ensuring a child's zip code does not determine their future. A quality, equitable education is one that focuses on the whole child — the social, emotional, mental, physical and cognitive development for ALL students regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status or geographic location. It prepares the child for life, not only learning outcomes.
Our Mission/Vision
By ensuring equitable access to high quality education, we empower children and their families to close and even reverse the achievement and opportunity gaps.
Our "Why"
New Hanover County (NHC) highlights a staggering disparity continued beyond elementary:
Black students are, on average, are 3 grade levels behind White students at 6th grade
Hispanic students are, on average, are 1.8 grade levels behind White students at 6th grade
Students of Color are 5.1x more likely to be suspended than White students
White students are 5x more likely to be enrolled in AP classes than Black students
While students across the country face challenges with the achievement gap, in New Hanover County specifically, the disparities begin prior to Kindergarten. Data collected locally states:
11 schools scored 50% or higher for children below Kindergarten Readiness (KR)
14 schools scored 50% or higher for children meeting expectations for KR
On average, only 3.7% of children in NHC are exceeding expectations for KR
*The image above represents Kindergarten Readiness levels based on data collected in New Hanover County.
Our Impact
GLOW Academy celebrated it's first senior graduating class in 2023. By providing equitable access to quality education, GLOW Academy graduates have consistently excelled in college application and acceptance rates, percentage of first time college goers, as well as merit scholarship dollars earned.
Class of 2023
Class of 2024
Class of 2025
98%
Applied to College
98%
Accepted to College
72%
1st Generation College Goers
$3M
Merit Scholarships
Dollars Earned
100%
Applied to College
100%
Accepted to College
75%
First Generation
College Goers
$1.5M
Merit Scholarship
Dollars Earned
100%
Applied to College
100%
Accepted to College
56%
First Generation
College Goers
$3.1M
Merit Scholarship
Dollars Earned
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Additionally, Spark Academy will provide over $750,000 in tuition assistance annually at full build-out.
