The Rensselaerville Institute (TRI) partners with school and community leaders to dramatically boost student-achievement results and problems of communities, improving the life chances of young people in these communities. We’ve done this for over 60 years with methods that are proven and sustainable. Everyone succeeds. No exceptions. No excuses.

Our mission: Increase life chances for children through education and community

We envision a world where: 

• every student has equitable access to a quality education
• all leaders are trained and able to effectively lead schools
• teachers successfully inspire and engage learners to achieve to their highest potential
• communities have adequate resources to meet the needs of their populations
• organizations have productive processes and achieve desired outcomes
• individuals have equity of voice in their community and can freely lead positive and inspired change

In 2023, our work took us to rural America where we had the privilege of working side by side with school and community leaders who made change for the children that live and learn in Lowndes County, Alabama. With our boots on the ground, TRI’s School Turnaround and Community Sparkplug programs worked with 4 schools (2 elementary, 1 middle and 1 high school) and 5 Sparkplugs to increase life chances for young people. YOUR support impacted 1300 lives in Lowndes County, AL.   

One sparkplug to make a substantial impact on young people’s lives is Coach Nickles Rankins.  Lowndes County isn’t fortunate to have a local YMCA or Boys & Girls club and Coach Rankins wanted to give kids something to do.  YOUR support made his dream a reality.  Coach Rankins started the Lowndes County Intramural Track program, which offered extracurricular track and field activities to 2nd-6th grade students after school and on weekends.  Because of YOUR generosity, this one sparkplug touched over 100 students and families.

Your donations have helped thousands of youn people throughout the nation.  Take a look at some of the results below and watch what our sparkplugs are doing. 

EVERY $3000.00 RAISED ENABLES ONE COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER TO BRING A PROJECT TO FRUITION.