Creating a Long-Term Plan for Students at DeLaSalle Education Center

SchoolSmartKC, in partnership with transitional school leadership and its Board of Directors, announced significant financial support for DeLaSalle Education Center, an alternative high school in Kansas City.

The DeLaSalle Board has spent the last several months evaluating the school’s financial situation and academic performance. Facing serious financial distress, the Board came to the conclusion that without significant support, DeLaSalle would potentially have to close. Knowing the important role this school plays in the lives of some of our most at-risk students, the Board sought help from SchoolSmartKC and other philanthropic donors.

SchoolSmartKC is pleased to announce that in partnership with the school, we have developed a plan to help ensure the school’s continuance and build a new path for the future.

In addition to financial and operational support so that students can finish this school year, SSKC will support the school in working with students and families as well as neighborhood leaders, business leaders and the broader community in the design of “DeLaSalle 2.0.”

This new curriculum will be a model of real-world education to ensure students graduate with relevant workforce skills and academic preparation, particularly for students that have had less success in traditional environments. In parallel with serving the current student population, the launch of the new DeLaSalle would occur in the 2019-2020 school year.

In addition to working with the students, families and the community, SSKC will partner with national experts in the field of alternative high schools. We know from research that having a school like DeLaSalle is critically important for our at-risk students to be successful in life. We believe that with the launch of DeLaSalle 2.0, we can ensure a school that is financially stable, demonstrate strong governance and, most importantly, be academically successful.