FOSP prioritizes allocating funds for scholars’ education, educator needs and programs that will directly impact educational outcomes. The Solar Preparatory schools are part of the Dallas ISD public school system and receive funding through the district based on the same formulas that apply to neighborhood schools. These formulas fall short of what is needed to fulfill the Solar model to create an academically challenging and nurturing environment that develops and inspires our children to achieve greatness.
Four years after opening the first Solar Preparatory school, our scholars have proven the importance of SEL (social-emotional learning); Spanish immersion; a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) curriculum; and economic and ethnic diversity. However, we do not have the funding to perpetuate these programs without additional support. For example, STEAM alone increases each schools’ financial needs by approximately 15 – 20%.