Mission Statement

 

Community Education Opportunities (CEO), under the administration of the Fond du Lac Area Foundation, is a non-profit program consisting of professional leaders partnering with families of children attending grades K-12. Its purpose is to provide low income families with financial assistance and choices when making decisions affecting the education of their children.

 

Educational options are provided in partnership with CEO families, school, and community by providing grants based on family income and student progress. Inspired by an attitude of service and a commitment to provide children with opportunities to reach their highest potential, CEO works to assure families the means to choose optimum educational settings for their children.

 

In 2002, a small group of Fond du Lac citizens met to discuss shared beliefs about education. These beliefs were that both the public and private school systems in Fond du Lac are excellent, that a child will thrive in an educational environment best suited to his /her needs, whether that be private or public, and that families deserve equal opportunity to choose the best school for their children.

 These citizens recognized, however, that low income families are often denied this choice because of economic circumstances. Successful models throughout the country were studied to determine if such a program could be developed in the Fond du Lac area.

   In November of 2002, they met with Dan McKinley, Executive Director of Milwaukee’s PAVE (Partners Advancing Values in Education) a successful model. A Task Force, with representation of major cultural groups in the Fond du Lac area, was formed. The concept was presented to community corporate leaders and received a positive response. After obtaining sufficient start-up donations, the CEO Pilot program was launched in August, 2003. Fifty applications were received and 19 students were selected to attend 4 participating schools. Currently, Fond du Lac Christian School, FACES, Winnebago Lutheran Academy and Lutheran Grad School System, St. Mary’s Springs High School, Trinity Baptist School, and St. Lawrence Seminary High School are included as CEO schools.

   CEO is governed by a 20-member volunteer board of directors.

 

 

CEO provides tuition assistance grants to Fond du Lac area schools for students who attend from Fond du Lac, Calumet, Dodge, Sheboygan, Washington, and Winnebago Counties.