Sandy Springs Education Force Celebrates a Year of Impact

Sandy Springs Education Force (SSEF) celebrated a year of impactful programs that inspired achievement, expanded opportunity and empowered students across public schools in Sandy Springs. From early literacy to post-graduation planning, SSEF’s innovative initiatives, powered by committed volunteers and community partnerships, helped students strengthen skills, gain confidence and take meaningful steps toward a successful future.

College and Career Readiness: SAIL and Senior Push

SSEF’s SAIL (Students Achieving in Life) and Senior Push programs focused on supporting students as they prepared for life after high school. Together, these initiatives served 49 students, providing one-on-one mentoring and practical support to help students solidify post-graduation plans.

At Riverwood High School, the SAIL program paired 39 students with 24 dedicated mentors who guided them through college and career planning. Mentors helped students apply to college, secure scholarships and financial aid and explore apprenticeships and job opportunities. SSEF also covered application fees and related expenses.

Students are heading to Kennesaw State University, Georgia State University, Oglethorpe University, Texas A&M, Atlanta Technical College and more. Career goals range from nursing and engineering to architecture, sports marketing and finance. A year-end celebration at Riverwood brought students and mentors together to recognize the accomplishments and bright paths ahead.

At North Springs High School, Senior Push supported 10 students as they developed their own college and career strategies. Mentors helped them pursue plans in cybersecurity, business, early childhood education, barbering, welding and more. Students are attending SCAD, Kennesaw State, Georgia State, Georgia Gwinnett College and various other technical colleges.

Building Strong Readers: Reading Buddies

SSEF’s Reading Buddies program connected 56 adult volunteers with 109 elementary students at Dunwoody Springs, Ison Springs, Lake Forest and Spalding Drive Elementary Schools for weekly reading sessions focused on literacy and relationship-building.

The program culminated in joyful year-end celebrations. Lake Forest Elementary volunteer Allen Wallace called volunteering the "best part of his week" and urged others to join, saying, “Everyone should be a reading buddy.” Volunteer Henry Eras is a recent Riverwood High School graduate. He shared, “Knowing I can make an impact on another kid’s life drives me to keep coming.” Ariel, a 3rd grader at Lake Forest, said that she “liked reading better” now that she’s been working in the program. Layla, a 4th grader at Lake Forest agreed that that reading with her buddy, “makes me more confident.” She and classmate Ariel said they also love to laugh with their buddy.

At Spalding Drive, many students noted how much their reading improved, and volunteers echoed the value of their involvement. Karen English, who mentored two students, said she is “energized by their spirit for learning,” and Grant Parker, now in his second year with the same student, remarked, “It was so fun to watch my student get more interested in reading.”

Children at all end-of-year celebrations received books to take home to reinforce the importance of reading in the summer. These gifts are possible due to Sandy Springs Education Force’s Mini Libraries program and the many individuals and organizations who host book drives throughout the year to provide free books for students who may not otherwise have their own personal libraries.

Focused Academic Support: Tutor Teams

SSEF’s Tutor Teams program provided weekly virtual tutoring to 45 elementary students through the support of 23 high school volunteers. The program matched high schoolers with younger students to help with homework, math, and reading skills.

SSEF recruited tutors from high-achieving students from North Springs, Innovation Academy and Riverwood International Charter School, as well as several community members. The students and tutors made strong connections. For example, Sam Vandervelde, an 11th grader at Innovation Academy, commented that he loved working together with the students and “seeing everybody contributing and learning and growing together…in a positive feedback loop.” Sergeltho, a 5th grader at High Point agreed that their group had been beneficial and noted he had been able to “develop communication skills.” Andrew, a 5th grader from Ison Springs who worked in this team, noted that Sam, their tutor, had related so well to both of the students and said, “He does the same things we do!”

Other tutors and elementary students agreed that the program made a big difference for them. Students gained vital academic support and tutors developed leadership skills and meaningful relationships with their mentees.

A Community of Support

“We’re proud of the incredible commitment from our volunteers, school staff and community partners,” said Irene Schweiger, Executive Director of SSEF. “Together, we’re helping students overcome barriers and succeed in school and beyond.”

Program Director, Beppie Lever, added, “For more than 200 students in our programs this year, having a Reading Buddy, mentor, or tutor show up each week meant having someone in their corner—cheering them on, building trust and believing in their success. That kind of consistent support is powerful, and we’re so grateful to the volunteers and partners who make it possible. We’re excited to continue building on this momentum and expanding our reach to empower even more students in public school in Sandy Springs in the year ahead.”