N.R. Burger Middle School (Hattiesburg Public School District) - "Power Partners" program to improve academic proficiency and social responsibility

Partners: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity-Hattiesburg Chapter, Mississippi Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)-Pine-belt Chapter, Topher’s Restaurant, South Mississippi Rural Health Initiative (SEMHRI), Hattiesburg Housing Authority, Retired Educators of Hattiesburg, NAACP-Hattiesburg Chapter, Kappa Alpha Psi-Hattiesburg Chapter, Innovative Designs & Engineering Services, House of the Lord, Concerned Men's Group of Hattiesburg, Wright Medical, Smile Design Orthodontics, Terrance Taylor, Milan and Stephanie Hoze, Dr. Carolyn Eubanks, Deidre Bland, University of Southern Mississippi Department of Curriculum and Instruction. 

Students impacted: 547
Volunteers: 22
Partnership duration: 4 years

N. R. Burger Middle School has cultivated a tradition of partnering with community groups to strengthen the focus on academic proficiency and social responsibility. Most recently, the school formed "Power Partners” to help boost performance in school-wide attendance and student behavior. Many partners also are members of N. R. Burger's P-16 Family and Community Council, which has helped engage more stakeholders in the mission of educating students to become academically proficient and socially responsible. With the “Power Partners” partnership, the community has truly embraced the philosophy of “it takes village” to prepare students to succeed in a dynamic, global society.

Activities:
• Power Partner building walks and pep talks
• PBIS Celebrations
• Mentorship and motivational speaking sessions

Impacts:
• For first 9 weeks, 76% of student body had zero to 1 referral
• Attendance for first semester was 96%