Propel Schools Foundation
The Power to Change Lives
At Propel Schools, we believe education transforms lives and communities. From day one, we empower scholars and their families to turn ambitious dreams into reality, making college and career success attainable for all.
While public funding covers only the basics, your gift to the Propel Schools Foundation provides the margin of excellence. Your support grants scholars access to vital programs in math, science, literacy, robotics, and the arts—equipping them for life long after graduation.
Your Support Can Make a Difference
Click below to see how your support made a difference in 2025.
Ways to support
School-based Initiatives and Programming
Direct your support to one of our school-based initiatives.
AFTERSCHOOL
In addition to our Summer Magic Camps, Afterschool offers additional hours of academic support and enrichment opportunities.
K-3 READING INITIATIVE
Building the foundation for reading and writing to ensure scholars will perform at or above grade level in literacy before entering grade three
TEACHER RESIDENCY
Preparing educators who are committed to social justice and equity in education through this three-year innovative residency program.
SCHOLAR OPPORTUNITIES
Ensures scholars' access to content-rich, engaging opportunities that extend beyond the classroom.
ARTS PROGRAMMING
Bringing the importance of arts education to the forefront of curricular offerings through our in-school arts-focused programs.
Upcoming events and programs
Get involved
Are you looking to get involved in the Propel Schools community? Here are just a few ideas on how you or your team can get involved!
To get involved with our Propel Schools Community, contact: foundation@propelschools.org
Schedule a Tour
Sign up for a tour of the Propel Schools Experience and witness scholars defy expectations through one of our many offered programs.
Volunteer for Fresh Produce Distribution
Propel Northside Community Wellness Center hosts fresh produce distribution, sponsored by BreadWorks & Consumer Fresh Produce, every second and fourth Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.
Donate to the Free Store
Propel Northside Community Wellness Center hosts fresh a Free Store that distributes new and gently used clothing and personal care items to community residents. Donation hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Host a Resource Drive
We’ll provide you with a list of needed items based on the type of drive you or your organization would like to host (food, clothing, books, etc.).
Volunteer for a Career Panel
Speak directly to Propel scholars to share your first-hand career experiences and insight to help prepare our scholars for tomorrow.
Read to a Scholar in Afterschool
Can't make a commitment during the day, but still looking to get involved? Attend an Afterschool session and read an exciting book to our ever-learning scholars!
Scholarships
At Propel, we do more than teach; we prepare scholars for the future. While every student’s path is unique, financial hurdles can often limit their options. By providing robust scholarship support, we ensure that a high-quality education remains accessible, empowering our scholars to succeed and lead in their communities.
Here are the scholarships awarded through Propel Schools Foundation
- Power of Propel Scholarship $10,000
- Cessna Family STEM Scholarship $30,000
- Propel Summit Scholarships $30,000
- Patricia Cepko Polansky Scholarship $15,000
- Gurrentz Family Scholarships $12,500
- Surma Family CTE Scholarships $16,500
- Future Achievement Scholarship Trust (FAST) $16,500
- Scholarship Photo Gallery
Power of Propel Scholarship $10,000
Founded by our annual Gala and generous donors, the Power of Propel program awards ten $10,000 scholarships to graduating seniors. These funds support post-secondary costs, including tuition, housing, books, and trade tools for vocational and apprenticeship programs. Only Propel Schools 12th-graders are eligible to apply.
Cessna Family STEM Scholarship $30,000
Established in 2021, the Cessna Family STEM Scholarship was created by Greg & Denise Cessna through the Cessna Family Foundation to share their passion for STEM careers and to honor our most outstanding senior scholar pursuing a STEM career. For four consecutive years, a new Propel Schools senior will be awarded this scholarship, to be used over that period.
2026 Award
Sara Keady
2025 Award
Cameron Jones
2024 Award
Carmella Foster
Propel Summit Scholarships $30,000
Established in 2025 by The Benter Foundation, this scholarship was created to elevate education and career pathways for exemplary scholars — offering them support and encouragement to find their summit, reaching new heights in learning, leadership, and purpose. For three consecutive years, two new Propel Schools seniors will be awarded this scholarship to be used over four years.
2026 Awards
Kenaia Wright
Helena Woodyear
Patricia Cepko Polansky Scholarship $15,000
Gurrentz Family Scholarships $12,500
Surma Family CTE Scholarships $16,500
Established in 2025 through the generosity of the John P. and Elizabeth I. Surma Family Fund, this scholarship celebrates excellence in Career and Technical Education (CTE) at Propel Schools. The honor recognizes the most outstanding current CTE dual-credit high school scholars. For four consecutive years, five new Propel Schools scholars will be awarded this recognition.
2026 Awards
Taran Bonner
Madison Bowers
Haz'sson Kirkland
Codie Shearer
Jael Williams
Future Achievement Scholarship Trust (FAST) $16,500
A generous gift funds two FAST Scholarships each year for Propel Schools scholars who have demonstrated success, resilience, and a commitment to Propel's values. The program invests in selected scholars at the end of eighth grade, providing resources they can access when they pursue college or other post-secondary education. Each recipient receives a total of $16,500 in scholarship support throughout their high school and college years. Eligibility is limited to eighth-grade scholars who have attended Propel Schools for at least four years.
2026 Awards
Kenli Hull
Aliux King
2025 Awards
Bailee Caltagirone
Christian Johnson
Scholarship Photo Gallery
2026 Power or Propel Gala
Vivian and Bill Benter, Kenaia Wright and Helena Woodyear (2026 Propel Summit Scholarship recipients), and Kathy Buechel
Isaiah Muhammad and Aaron Colangelo, 2026 Gurrentz Family Scholarship recipients, with Rodger and Ryan Gurrentz
Greg Polansky and 2026 Patricia Cepko Polansky Scholarship recipient, Marijanay Wiley
Dr. Allison Fleischer, Brendan Surma, and Trevor Wilson
Maura DeRiggi, Executive Assistant and Propel Schools CEO/Superintendent Dr. Tina Chekan.
Samantha Woodyear and Helena Woodyear, 2026 Propel Summit Scholarship recipient.
Power of Propel Gala check-in with Megan Troxell and Rodger Gurrentz
Jackie Dixon and guests
Becky Surma, Taran Bonner, Codie Shearer, Haz'sson Kirkland, Jael Williams, Madison Bowers, and Brendan Surma (Surma Family CTE Scholars)
Taran Bonner, 2026 Surma Family CTE Scholarship recipient and Brittany Moehring
Propel Andrew Street High School Principal, Alex Slaughter and Dr. Angela Taylor, Senior Director of Academics
Ashley and Kenli Hull, 2026 Future Achievement Scholarship Trust (FAST) recipient
Isaiah Muhammad, 2026 Gurrentz Family Scholarship recipient
Erin SanDoval, Propel Schools Director of Residency and Development and Shelli Luchs, Senior Director of Propel Schools Foundation
Trinity Finney ’27, Propel Braddock Hills High School and Propel Performing Arts scholar
Marijanay Wiley, 2026 Patricia Cepko Polansky Scholarship recipient, and Lashaya White
Aliux King and Kenli Hull, 2026 Future Achievement Scholarship Trust (FAST) recipients
Malachi Stanley-Melvin, My'er Jones, Principal Alex Slaughter, J'Ayre Miller, Sara Keady, and Kenaia Wright (Propel Andrew Street High School scholarship recipients)
Helena Woodyear and Kenaia Wright, 2026 Propel Summit Scholarship recipients
Propel Montour Middle High School Principal Robert Sims, Propel Braddock Hills Campus Principal Veronica Strueve, Propel Andrew Street High School Principal Alex Slaughter, Propel Schools CEO/Superintendent Dr. Tina Chekan and Propel Braddock Hills Campus Principal April Perry
Propel Braddock Hills Campus Principal Veronica Strueve, Jada Jenkins (2026 Power of Propel Scholarship recipient), and Propel Braddock Hills Campus Principal April Perry
Madison Bowers and Jael Williams, 2026 Surma Family CTE Scholarship recipients
2026 Surma Family CTE Scholarship recipients with Surma family
Aaron Colangelo, Karlee O'Leary, Taran Bonner, Principal Rob Sims, Jael Williams, and Madison Bowers (Propel Montour High School scholarship recipients)
Taran Bonner, Codie Shearer, Haz'sson Kirkland, Gloria Williams, Jael Williams, and Madison Bowers
Bailee Caltagirone, 2025 Future Achievement Scholarship Trust (FAST) recipient, and the Propel Performing Arts Academy
Christian Johnson and Bailee Caltagirone, 2025 Future Achievement Scholarship Trust (FAST) recipients, with the Propel Performing Arts Academy
Aaron Bagsby Thornton, 2026 Power of Propel Scholarship recipient
Propel Performing Arts Academy performing a K-pop medley
Propel Schools CEO/Superintendent Dr. Tina Chekan
Eric Hemingway, 2026 Power of Propel Scholarship recipient
Jada Jenkins, 2026 Power of Propel Scholarship recipient
Aaron Colangelo, 2026 Gurrentz Family Scholarship recipient
Malachi Stanley-Melvin, 2026 Power of Propel Scholarship recipient
Audience during PPAA performance
Karlee O'Leary, 2026 Power of Propel Scholarship recipient
J'Ayre Miller, 2026 Power of Propel Scholarship recipient
Haz'sson Kirkland, 2026 Surma Family CTE Scholarship recipient
Codie Shearer, 2026 Surma Family CTE Scholarship recipient
2026 Surma Family CTE Scholarship recipients with Brendan Surma
Sara Keady, 2026 Cessna Family STEM Scholarship recipient
Kenaia Wright, 2026 Propel Summit Scholarship recipient
2026 Surma Family CTE Scholarship recipients
Cameron Jones, 2025 Cessna Family STEM Scholarship recipient
Helena Woodyear, 2026 Propel Summit Scholarship recipient
Dr. Tina Chekan and Tyler Kristofik, 2026 Power of Propel Scholarship recipient
Tyler Kristofik, 2026 Power of Propel Scholarship recipient
Your support in action
Propel Schools graduate Jhordan Price
Power of Propel scholarship awardee Zariah Arnold-Stephens.
Contact the Propel Schools Foundation
Shelli Luchs
Senior Director
Lori Brenner, Esq.
Manager of Grants
Erin SanDoval
Director of Residency and Development
Propel Schools
