Project-GRIT
Public School Outreach Program at Mountain View Elementary School
Project GRIT, the central project of our Public School Outreach division, aims to reach the most at-risk children. Especially for low-income youth, in danger of not completing high school, consistent musical training provides a pathway to success. Working with the Salt Lake County Board of Education and the Salt Lake School District, we identified Mountain View Elementary as the ideal location to initiate our intensive program. This Title I school has one of the most diverse, economically impacted student populations in the state. We have taken systematic measures to establish a thorough program. Project GRIT runs the entire school year (August-June). Qualified professionals of the highest caliber teach all of these sessions:
- All kindergarten and first grade students receive a structured one-hour music class once a week during school hours, Monday-Thursday.
- First grade students also receive violin instruction every week.
- Second, third, and fourth grade students continue their studies in an after-school music fundamentals and violin instruction course, held 3-5pm Monday-Thursday.
- Fifth through twelfth grade students, based on their desire and commitment to succeed, will be granted limited scholarships to continue study in the Preparatory Division at Gifted Music School’s downtown campus. These students, identified through partnerships with other organizations, will come from multiple areas of Utah.
Project GRIT’s immediate objectives are to increase literacy and academic achievement overall, to improve self-worth and develop social skills. Ultimately, our goal is 100% college acceptance for those who complete the entire program K-12. Now in its third year, the program is already showing statistically demonstrable results in lessened absenteeism, improved academic proficiency, and decreased behavioral problems among participants.
