IYT Herbert Hoover Middle School Impact Update: February 2026

Month in Review: Bridging the Gap & Massive Academic Growth

February at Herbert Hoover Middle School was all about creating safe spaces to grow and looking ahead to the future. From exploring high school campuses to making unbelievable strides in the classroom, our young men are proving that with the right support system, anything is possible.

High School Readiness: Bridging the Gap

Brothers introducing themselves and being welcomed into the space at Merced High school.

Our Brothers at Hoover and Rivera Middle Schools took a fantastic trip to Merced High School for our highly anticipated "Bridge the Gap" event!

Each of our middle school Brothers was paired with an IYT high school Brother for the day. They took time to tour the campus, have honest conversations about what to expect when they enter 9th grade, and engage in a 1:1 mentor session. Many of our Brothers absolutely loved this event and now have familiar faces to look for once they begin high school and stay a part of the IYT family!

Building Community: Supporting Our Hoover Huskies

Omar works individually with Brother Bobby during study hall, patiently guiding him and helping him build academic confidence!

IYT supports our Hoover Huskies in ways that go far beyond academics! We are deeply committed to creating a safe, welcoming space where students can grow socially and build meaningful, lifelong connections.

During our programming, students have opportunities to relax, play games, and engage with their peers in a highly positive environment that constantly encourages teamwork, communication, and trust.

Brother of the Month

Brother Raymond

8th Grade

Brother Raymond has earned Brother of the Month for his incredible growth, leadership, and unwavering dedication to his own success!

Since joining IYT, he has developed into a respectful and motivated young man who consistently leads by example and positively influences his peers. He has shown massive academic improvement this semester, raising his GPA from a 0.86 to an impressive 2.57, boasting four B’s and three C’s!

Beyond his grades, Brother Raymond has improved his attendance, focus, and classroom engagement. He comes prepared with a clear plan to complete his assignments and holds himself completely accountable. He also confidently advocates for himself by communicating with teachers and seeking guidance from his mentor, truly embodying the growth mindset and leadership that IYT strives to build!

Upcoming Events

Name	Date & Time	Description
Merced City Schools Spring Break	4/3 - 4/11/2026	Schools and IYT will be closed for spring recess.
Merced City Schools Board Meeting	4/14/2026	IYT PMs and a few families will be in attendance at the next board meeting to talk about how IYT had impacted them since joining! We hope to create an impact enough to be able to expand to Tenaya Middle School next year!
Merced IYT Graduation Ceremony	5/22/2026	Citywide Graduation Celebration will bring together graduating IYT students (8th Grade and Seniors) from Merced, along with their families, school staff, mentors, and community partners.

Program Directory & Schedules

Program Manager: Mahogany Grissom

Phone: 650-670-5972

Email: mahogany@improveyourtomorrow.org

Herbert Hoover Middle School

Programming Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays (3:35 - 5:00pm), Wednesdays (3:45 - 4:15pm); 2nd & 4th Fridays (3:35 - 5:00pm) Study Hall: Tuesdays & Thursdays

Mentor & Parent Engagement (last month)

Number of Parent Engagement Sessions:	55
Number of Mentor Sessions:	146