Our Partnership with SMART
With the money raised from our clinics, we have partnered with the SMART Program in order to combat education inequity in the Bay Area. SMART is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides a unique 12-year continuum of support that starts in 4th grade and goes all the way through college, including school support, after-school enrichment, summer programming, and college preparation.
SMART’s mission is to provide low-income students in San Francisco access to an exceptional education and the skills needed to thrive in college and in life. SMART empowers and supports Scholars and families to achieve heightened educational outcomes that lead to college access and success.
SMART works with rising 5th and 6th-grade Scholars for six weeks to prevent summer learning loss while also working with families to facilitate the admissions and financial aid process. Smart helps low income, first generation families navigate the education process by conducting tours and training families to become strong educational champions through workshops and one-on-one guidance. Their after-school programing includes a weekly after-school program equipping scholars with the skills to succeed in academically rigorous schools and in life through tutoring, mentoring, and a curriculum designed to bolster them academically and social-emotionally.
The College Achievement Program advances SMART Scholars toward high school graduation and a college education. Weekly programming supports SMART Scholars through career and college exploration and assists with the college and financial aid application processes, while emphasizing community engagement and self-advocacy. Learn more about the SMART program here.
50% of the proceeds from the Beyond Basketball clinics will be used to help staff each class of smart scholars with the right resources to find success in their educational journeys. At Beyond Basketball we are not only striving to build brighter basketball players, but to build brighter futures for low income, first generation students in the Bay Area. Help our cause today by donating or spreading the word about our training!