Top 15 Reasons to Give to Gift of Knowledge Academy
15. We use proven, research-based reading instruction where all kids can and do learn to read.
14. Over 90% of our kindergarten students have been reading in 5 months.
13. When our students leave us at the end of the second grade, they have been at or above grade level in literacy and math.
12. We believe that all children, regardless of their socioeconomic conditions, deserve the opportunity to receive a quality education.
11. To date, we have lived up to our mission and vision statements. Mission: Gift of Knowledge Academy is committed to providing a firm foundation in literacy and math to kids in grades K-2 that will give them the ability to reach their full potential. Vision: To become the premiere school where 100% of our students are at or above grade level in literacy and math by the end of the second grade.
10. Parent Testimonial - What a wonderful blessing this school has been for our son!! Ms. Watkins has clearly been gifted with the ability to teach well. Our son enjoys going. At home ALL he wants to do is go over all he learned!!! (I. Johnson)
9. Student Testimonial – When asked, “What will you miss most about our school?” I will miss my teachers and my friends. I will also miss Ms. Grant, Ms. Lucy, and Mrs. Carolyn. I will miss the morning activities. I will miss all the books in second grade and all the learning games. I will also miss Ms. Grant’s activities. I will miss being a Bookworm. I will miss my small class, and I will miss snack. I will miss sitting in Mrs. Watkins’ chair and reading to the class. I will miss my school! (K. Sanchez)
8. Student Testimonial – When asked, “What do you like most about the school?” I like my teachers and my classmates. I like that we get seconds at lunchtime and I like recess. I like when it is super hot outside and my teacher splashes us with water. I love my school. (A. Cook)
7. Student Testimonial – When asked, “What do you like most about the school?” I like inside recess because it was fun and I can play with the cups and the desk. I like reading with Mrs. Deborah and doing tests. (V. Gomez)
6. Student Testimonial – When asked, “What do you like most about the school?” I love my teacher because she helps me with my math and reading. I like to be in school. I learn in school and I play outside. I like my friends at school. I like to go to school because it is fun. I like this school because I get to do projects. I like being a Bookworm. I like to do my best. I love this school because it helps me to learn new things. (A. Cook)
5. Supporter Testimonial - Excellent, hands-on instruction. Exemplary commitment by the founder and staff to students and their goal achievement. (P.T. Watkins)
4. We offer a 10-to-1 or better, student/teacher ratio and we accept kindergarten students whose birthday comes after the public school cutoff date. They don’t have to stay in daycare or go to pre-K.
3. According to an Annie E. Casey Foundation report, 83% of all low-income students read below the proficiency level by the end of the third grade. This number was even higher for African-American and Hispanic students. All of our second graders have been at or above grade level in literacy and math when they graduated. Two of them were reading on a fourth grade level.
2. We are passionate about helping to eradicate illiteracy, decreasing the dropout rate, bridging the literacy gap, and helping to build the self-esteem and self-confidence of beginning readers and learners.
1. We have a Board and staff who are committed to our mission and vision and personally hold themselves accountable for the success of the students; our school motto is – Together We All Succeed! We believe that our success is dependent on our students’ success; we are not successful unless all of our students are successful. It is not good enough for one or two of our students to succeed, all of our students must succeed!
As a nonprofit organization, we rely on the generous support of individuals, businesses, organizations, and foundation grants to help us achieve our mission. Let our kids know that they can count on you to give them the opportunity to reach their full potential.
We are so grateful for the support of all of our funders. With your generous support, we can help our kids reach their full potential!
We are partnering with the Orange Grove Missionary Baptist Church 21st Century Community Learning Center STEAM program to provide resources for our students.
We are so grateful for the support of all of our funders. With your generous support, we can help our kids reach their full potential!
We are partnering with the Orange Grove Missionary Baptist Church 21st Century Community Learning Center STEAM program to provide resources for our students.
Corporate Sponsors
Individuals Small Businesses/Corporations
Gold- $100 or more Gold- $500 or more
Silver- $50+ Sponsor a Child $8500 Silver- $250+
Bronze- $25+ Bronze- $100+
For those who would like to make a stock donation, we have a brokerage account at SunTrust Bank. Please contact Deborah Watkins (919-818-8181) for instructions on how to electronically make your stock donation.
Also, please join our Exclusive Club, 100EQ. This Exclusive Club is for those who are serious about educating our future generation. 100EQ stands for $100 for Education Every Quarter. For less than $1.10 a day (the price of the average cup of coffee) you can help a child reach their full potential.
Pledge to give $100 for Education Every Quarter (tax-deductible)
Thanks to all of our supporters! Without you, we would not be able to achieve our mission of providing a firm foundation in literacy and math to children in grades K-2.
Gold Members
Paula Hargrove
Stan Swinson
Sandy Ange
Lillie Lane
Charles and Trish Harleston
Heath and Spanisha Glass
Gwendolyn and Henry Price
Patricia Simpson
Dan and Jane Harrod
Sheila Nolan
Johnny & Maggie Wright
Tim & April Thorpe
Jennifer Harris
Silver Members
Lucille Cole
Carolyn Martin
Betty Beatty
Vicki Davis
Demeta Ingram
Bronze Members
Brenda Taylor
Devon Dickerson
Diane Lane
Antonio Encarnacion
Crystal Jefferson
Companies
AXA Advisors, LLC
Carolina Dental Associates, Dr. Catherine Ha, DMD, PA
The CLOROX Company
Four Seasons Landscaping Mgmt Inc
In-kind Donations
Duke Surplus
Deanna Winick
Crystal Vaught
Feed My Sheep
Brothers of the Association of North Carolina Alphamen
Panera Bread
Book Harvest
White Rock Community Food Distribution
Costco
Capel Rugs
Georgia Dabinett
Mary Ann Wilson
Wall Street Juniors
Triangle Ecycling
Ross Dress For Less
Homeball360, Coach Stan Vidalis
100EQ Club Members
Deborah Watkins
Emma Carrington
Carolyn Ramsey-Williams
Deloris Harris
Quenton Watkins
Brandon Watkins
Dee Chew
Jessie Mae Heath
Delano and Maria Tyler
Wilber and Linda Fowler
Percil and Theresa Watkins
Gwendolyn D. Heath
Gina Newkirk
Chris and Cheryl Barbee
Volunteers
Lucille Cole - Class helper
Sheila Nolan - mClass Assessments
Crystal Dawson-Jefferson - mClass Master Trainer - mClass Assessments
Emma Chun - Duke University student - Music Instructor
Pranav Athimuthu - Duke University student - Fundraising
Brhea Scales - Storytime Reader
Cecilia Satterfield - Storytime Reader
Chris Toller - Storytime Reader
Janice Baker - Grant Writer
Please mail your tax-deductible contribution payable to Gift of Knowledge Academy to the address below:
Gift of Knowledge Academy
P.O. Box 14162
Durham, NC 27709
You can also make a contribution through Paypal by clicking the donate button located below
Gold- $100 or more Gold- $500 or more
Silver- $50+ Sponsor a Child $8500 Silver- $250+
Bronze- $25+ Bronze- $100+
For those who would like to make a stock donation, we have a brokerage account at SunTrust Bank. Please contact Deborah Watkins (919-818-8181) for instructions on how to electronically make your stock donation.
Also, please join our Exclusive Club, 100EQ. This Exclusive Club is for those who are serious about educating our future generation. 100EQ stands for $100 for Education Every Quarter. For less than $1.10 a day (the price of the average cup of coffee) you can help a child reach their full potential.
Pledge to give $100 for Education Every Quarter (tax-deductible)
- Commit to helping children receive a firm academic foundation
Help recruit other like-minded individuals
Thanks to all of our supporters! Without you, we would not be able to achieve our mission of providing a firm foundation in literacy and math to children in grades K-2.
Gold Members
Paula Hargrove
Stan Swinson
Sandy Ange
Lillie Lane
Charles and Trish Harleston
Heath and Spanisha Glass
Gwendolyn and Henry Price
Patricia Simpson
Dan and Jane Harrod
Sheila Nolan
Johnny & Maggie Wright
Tim & April Thorpe
Jennifer Harris
Silver Members
Lucille Cole
Carolyn Martin
Betty Beatty
Vicki Davis
Demeta Ingram
Bronze Members
Brenda Taylor
Devon Dickerson
Diane Lane
Antonio Encarnacion
Crystal Jefferson
Companies
AXA Advisors, LLC
Carolina Dental Associates, Dr. Catherine Ha, DMD, PA
The CLOROX Company
Four Seasons Landscaping Mgmt Inc
In-kind Donations
Duke Surplus
Deanna Winick
Crystal Vaught
Feed My Sheep
Brothers of the Association of North Carolina Alphamen
Panera Bread
Book Harvest
White Rock Community Food Distribution
Costco
Capel Rugs
Georgia Dabinett
Mary Ann Wilson
Wall Street Juniors
Triangle Ecycling
Ross Dress For Less
Homeball360, Coach Stan Vidalis
100EQ Club Members
Deborah Watkins
Emma Carrington
Carolyn Ramsey-Williams
Deloris Harris
Quenton Watkins
Brandon Watkins
Dee Chew
Jessie Mae Heath
Delano and Maria Tyler
Wilber and Linda Fowler
Percil and Theresa Watkins
Gwendolyn D. Heath
Gina Newkirk
Chris and Cheryl Barbee
Volunteers
Lucille Cole - Class helper
Sheila Nolan - mClass Assessments
Crystal Dawson-Jefferson - mClass Master Trainer - mClass Assessments
Emma Chun - Duke University student - Music Instructor
Pranav Athimuthu - Duke University student - Fundraising
Brhea Scales - Storytime Reader
Cecilia Satterfield - Storytime Reader
Chris Toller - Storytime Reader
Janice Baker - Grant Writer
Please mail your tax-deductible contribution payable to Gift of Knowledge Academy to the address below:
Gift of Knowledge Academy
P.O. Box 14162
Durham, NC 27709
You can also make a contribution through Paypal by clicking the donate button located below