A local nonprofit organization called Success From Within makes regular visits to Del Mar Elementary School to reward students who have improved their attendance and academic performance. The program, which has been running for two years, offers $10 “scholarships” to students who meet certain goals.
The founder of the organization, AJ Rassamni, believes that success comes from within and encourages students to take ownership of their education. He hopes to use the results of this program to attract funding and expand it to other schools in Fresno Unified.
Del Mar Elementary School has seen significant improvements in math and English language arts, with over 33% of students making progress towards closing the achievement gap. The nonprofit’s scholarship program is helping to foster a growth mindset in students, which is leading to improved attendance, behavior, and academic performance.
Rassamni plans to use the success of this program to show community investors that it can be replicated across different schools, with the goal of having five or ten schools participating next year. He believes that with continued support, he can raise enough money to take the program nationwide.
The nonprofit’s efforts are paying off, with students receiving high-fives and hugs from Rassamni as they receive their awards. The program is a monthly ritual at Del Mar Elementary, and it serves as a reminder that success is within reach for every student.
Source: https://gvwire.com/2026/03/23/del-mar-elementary-teams-with-nonprofit-to-make-learning-pay