By Kyle Heinze, RESA Middle School, 7th Grade Principal

As a ten-year veteran of the Rockford Public School District, I can confidently say that no organization breathes more genuine hope into our buildings than Rockford Promise. The opportunity for students in Rockford to earn tuition-free scholarships in return for maintaining a 3.0 grade point average is life-changing for them and their families. With college being financially out of reach for many of our students, Rockford Promise provides a bridge to a better future that would simply not exist without their philanthropic efforts.

Having worked as both a teacher and an administrator for a decade at RESA Middle School, I have watched Rockford Promise with great enthusiasm from the beginning. Now offering all students attending RPS205 high schools this opportunity, it changes how academic success is perceived by our students and their families. Working to attain a high grade point average is no longer just an aspiration; it’s a tangible opportunity for a better future. As college graduates, these students will earn more, produce more, and become members of the community who continue to lead Rockford forward.

At RESA Middle School, promoting Rockford Promise and the opportunities it offers to our students has been a core part of our message. From informing our families about Rockford Promise during registration and back-to-school nights to hosting quarterly academic celebrations for all grade levels, the chance at a scholarship changes the conversation around middle school. Our task at the middle school level is to prepare students to be eligible for this life-changing opportunity.

Rockford Promise is the premier change-focused organization in the city. Hundreds of students have already earned scholarships and are now on the path toward fruitful careers that will benefit both their families and our community. I am a proud supporter of Rockford Promise and am honored to have worked with them on initiatives for our students