The Mission of Soar with Science is to "Build Success"

We encourage First Nations students to assume greater responsibility for their education and future. Based on the Education Action Plan with key highlights below:

The intent is to encourage First Nations students to assume greater responsibility for their education and future.

Students who are self-directed and self-motivated will have greater success and significantly narrow the education gap. They will ultimately achieve the goal of First Nation jurisdiction over First Nation education.

Education is a key factor in enabling First Nation individuals and communities to develop to their full potential and achieve a quality of life comparable to that of other Canadians. In conjunction with current and future initiatives, individual student success strategies will improve educational outcomes for First Nation learners.

Identified major challenges to closing the education gap include:
- a variety of socio-economic factors that impact educational attainment;
- the diversity of First Nation communities and needs;
- the need for improved support for First Nation control of First Nation education;
- geographic remoteness of First Nation communities;
- the ever-increasing educational expectations of today's knowledge based economy.

These challenges result in:
- many young children coming to school ill-prepared to learn;
- significant drop-out rates during high school;
- low high school graduation rates; and
- difficulties making transitions to post-secondary education or entering the labour market.

Canada's demand for a skilled labour force is rising due to an aging population and a declining birthrate. The First Nation population, by contrast, is a youthful one, with more than 50 percent under the age of 25. The next 10 years will see a great increase in First Nation children passing through the education system. If the system fails to meet their needs, it will put too many members of this generation at risk and deprive Canada of valuable human resources.

The Prime Minister and Aboriginal leaders identified lifelong learning as a key means of doing so and made it a priority for follow-up.

Some key components of a Strategic Vision for Education include:
- maximized participation and success in early learning, education, training and skills development;
- education characterized by quality and excellence of instruction and relevant curricula;
- education grounded in First Nation values, traditions, culture and languages;
- safe learning environments;
- appropriate fiscal resources; and
- an ultimate outcome of First Nation jurisdiction over First Nation education.