Why MEF?
Top 10 Reasons Why MEF is Unique
1. A Strong Track Record of Academic Success.
Science curriculum from the Smithsonian. Shakespeare in the Summer. Math Boot Camp. Apprenticeships taught by field experts in Business, Entrepreneurship, and Journalism. MEF's Senior Class of 2012 became the thirteenth consecutive Senior Class to achieve 100 percent high school graduation and college enrollment. A majority of these students were the first in their families to do so. Read more about Our Impact.
2. Developing Future Generations with Character, Ethics, and Virtues.
Honesty, Respect, Perseverance, Positive Attitude, Simplicity, Confidence, Generosity, Sincerity, Loyalty, Faith, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Respect for Women, Prudence, Order, Friendship, Spirit of Service, Good Sportsmanship. (To name a few!)
3. Challenging academically middle-range students to unlock their potential.
While many programs exist either for remedial needs or for the gifted, MEF reaches out to the large academic gap in between who have great potential to succeed, especially to those with limited family resources. Midtown and Metro support schools in their effort to help our Chicago students stay in school and graduate on a path towards college and beyond.
4. Supporting Parents in their roles as Primary Educators of their Children.
Midtown and Metro support parents by teaching them to reinforce the virtues learned by their children at home, educating them in parenting, and guiding them along their child's high school and college application processes.
5. Where else can you find a single-sex after-school program?
At Midtown and Metro, you can ‘just be yourself.' Surrounded by your peers and male mentors at Midtown or female role models at Metro, grow in confidence and self-worth, learning what it means to become a great man or woman of intellect and character. 6. The Same Adult Mentors, Week after Week.
Where else can you have both an academic tutor/teacher and your own personal character advisor? Research shows that student transformation and future success depend on the presence of consistent adult mentors over time.
7. A Unique Environment.
Meet diverse students of all backgrounds from over 100 different schools across Chicago.
Explore the city in a setting outside your neighborhood and school, embarking on cultural excursions, field trips, service projects, college tours, and career visits.
8. Safe.
In today's world where youth violence abounds, one of the most popular comments from Midtown and Metro students: "I feel so safe here."
9. Nurturing the Mind, Body, and Soul.
Midtown and Metro develops the whole person. Mind (academics), body (sports, arts, fitness), and soul (character development and optional access to spiritual growth through prayer, no matter what faith you come from).
10. A high quality program at great value.
It costs $2,000 per student to attend Midtown and Metro's high quality programs. However, the generous donations of our sponsors allow MEF to provide programs at an 87.5% discount to all families, plus financial aid to those who qualify.