Guadalupe Center has introduced an academic program, RISE, that offers instruction specifically geared toward middle school students in Immokalee.

RISE, an acronym that stands for Resilience, Inspiration, Support and Empowerment, is the middle school extension of Guadalupe Center’s highly successful college-preparatory Tutor Corps Program.

RISE focuses on character development and academic achievement to drive students’ future success. The program provides peer-to-peer mentorship, helps develop leadership skills, builds healthy study habits, and enhances confidence and self-esteem. Its academic programs offer supplemental instruction across core subjects, including language arts, math, science, social studies and the arts. Additionally, RISE feeds directly into Tutor Corps, which provides Immokalee High School students with college and career readiness programs, ACT and SAT test prep, mentorships, financial literacy and scholarship assistance, as well as wages for tutoring younger students.

“Over the years, Guadalupe Center has achieved tremendous results for our students and families, proving that a high-quality education truly can fuel a child’s dreams and create endless possibilities for generations to come,” said Guadalupe Center President and CEO Dawn Montecalvo. “RISE will be our first endeavor focused on middle school education, a period in which students create the foundation that guides their performance in high school, college and ultimately the workplace.”

During its pilot phase in 2024-25, Guadalupe Center will serve an estimated 30 students in sixth and eighth grades before expanding into seventh grade during the 2025-26 academic year. RISE is being offered as an after-school program based on-site at Immokalee Middle School, free for students to attend. Operational costs are covered through grants and donations from generous individuals, businesses, organizations and foundations.

In addition to RISE, Guadalupe Center offers a nationally accredited Early Childhood Education Program for students from infancy through age 5; a highly successful After-school Tutoring & Summer Enrichment Program for students in kindergarten, first and second grades; and a college-preparatory Tutor Corps Program for students in high school and beyond.

For more information or to register a student, please contact ivictorin@guadalupecenter.org or call 239-986-8241.

About Guadalupe Center
Established in 1984, Guadalupe Center provides high-quality, life-changing educational programs to more than 2,000 students annually. Recognized nationally as a model for nonprofits serving students from low-income, rural communities, Guadalupe Center is creating a cycle of prosperity through education for students and families in Immokalee. The organization offers highly successful educational programs: the nationally accredited Early Childhood Education Program, After-school Tutoring & Summer Enrichment Program, the Tutor Corps middle school success program RISE and the college-preparatory Tutor Corps Program. Each program is designed to foster personal and academic success, guiding students toward economic independence. Platinum-rated by GuideStar, Guadalupe Center is generously supported by private donors, philanthropic organizations and community partners. For more information, please visit GuadalupeCenter.org or call 239-657-7711.