Prepare for Success is a school-supply drive created to ensure that Howard County students head back to school with the tools they need to succeed.

Why we do it: There are more than 12,000 kids in Howard County who qualify for free and reduced lunch—an indicator of poverty. The retail cost of basic school supplies ($60–$80 per student), presents a financial burden for many of these kids’ families. Prepare for Success aims to cut that cost and move one step closer to eliminating the achievement gap. Having the right school supplies is a critical first step to help a student achieve higher literacy levels, improve academic performance, and graduate. It also enables schools to operate more effectively.

 

For $25.00 with bulk purchasing and donated supplies we are able to help assure that a student will return to school – prepared for success.

Our goal: For the 2017-2018 school year, we expect to provide over 2,500 students—pre-school through high school—with new backpacks full of supplies.

 

 

IT IS A COMMUNITY WIDE EFFORT FROM ALL PARTS OF THE COUNTY

 

“Learning is challenging under the best of circumstances. By providing children the supplies their families cannot afford, you remove the disadvantage of their not having what they need to learn and of not fitting in with their classmates. You remove their anxiety of being a burden to their family. You help them prepare to succeed – in school and in life.”                  –a HCPSS Pupil Personnel Worker