The Foundation for Excellent Schools
The Foundation for Excellent Schools (FES) is a national organization supported by more than 75 foundations and corporations nationwide. FES creates innovative school partnerships among various groups (parents, mentors, colleges, community members and organizations) in order to positively impact student learning and success.
FES provides resources for individual schools to use in identifying issues and implementing strategies that meet the needs of their communities. FES programs and activities center on five core practices:
- Family as Partners
- Leadership Through Service
- Pathways to College
- Goal Setting
- Mentoring
At Keene Central School participates in the Adirondack Scholars Initiative of FES (currently for students Grades 7-10). Through the FES program, school partnerships have been developed with a number of colleges in the region to help students strengthen their performance and to raise educational aspirations. Colleges include:
- Champlain College
- Clinton Community College
- North Country Community College
- Middlebury College
- Paul Smith’s College
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- SUNY Plattsburgh
- University of Vermont
The FES program at KCS sponsors/participates in the following activities and events:
- Back To School Celebration Dinner
- College Visits & Activities
- College Awareness Week
- Mentoring Program
- Environmental Awareness Week
- Youth Leadership Summit (Grades 7-9)
- Team Building Day (Grades 7/8) at Twin Valleys Outdoor Education Center
