Innovative Awards UVICELL $26,000 for Territorial SAT Prep Program

UVI’s Dionne V. Jackson, left, and Ilene Garner, right,
accept a check from Innovative’s Jennifer Matarangas-King.

Ky’Jahna Gerard and De’Moi Lettsome
are participants in SAT Prep Course.

Innovative presented a $26,600 check to the University of the Virgin Islands - Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning Center (UVICELL) on Feb. 14, 2012, to fund the Innovative SAT Prep Program. The program provides 40 public high school students in the U.S. Virgin Islands with instruction and materials to prepare them for the SAT Test, which is used for college admission.

“We are extremely delighted that Innovative has once again sponsored the SAT Prep Program,” said UVICELL Director, Ilene Garner.

Now in its eighth year, the three-year program assists college bound students who want to improve their SAT scores. The program is unique in that it tracks the progress of students from their freshman through senior years.  Using a variety of educational tools and mock exams, the program assists students in reducing testing anxiety, building confidence and improving their test-taking ability. The program boasts an average increase in overall scores of about 10 percent each year. 

“Innovative is committed to education, literacy and programs that augment our educational system,” said Innovative Vice President for Public Relations and Governmental Affairs Jennifer Matarangas-King. “We are very proud that we have been able to fund such a successful program. We are pleased that over 300 students have participated in the initiative over the last seven years.”

Once basic requirements are met, students can enroll in the course at no charge.   The next series of courses will begin on March 10, 2012, however interested students must register by Friday, Feb. 17, 2012 to be considered for the program. 

Applications are available http://cell.uvi.edu or from each public high school’s Guidance Counselor.