The numbers at Auburn High School, in particular, paint a major disparity.

Reginold McGee came to the Liberty Baptist Church Wednesday night, hoping to create as much excitement over the gospel choir as for education.

"We want all the churches to know that we want them involved in school and they can really make a difference," said McGee, an Assistant Principal at Auburn High School.

A difference through a new program called "Crusaders for Hope" at Auburn High School.

Administrators want West Side churches to join this crusade and close a large racial gap between African American students and staff.

"There are about 45 percent African American from my understanding to about 8 percent staff so there is quite an imbalance," McGee said.

McGee says they're looking for volunteers to do everything from visiting students in the cafeteria to tutoring them.

"The more they see, the more they will be engaged, the more they will be motivated," McGee said.

"Often times they see benefits of doing the wrong thing, negative benefits. So I want to introduce them to positive benefits of doing the right thing," Pastor Herbert Johnson Jr. said.

Pastor Johnson was on board with this project even before McGee stepped up to the mic. He believes putting educated and career-minded African Americans in school creates a desire to succeed.

"It would be a good role model for them and they would able to say I can do the same thing," Pastor Johnson said.

And turn applause and a handshake into stronger students.

Wednesday night's church visit marks the fourth one so far by leaders from Auburn High School.

McGee says they already have some volunteers including pastors, deacons, even church ushers. The goal this year is to get 40 people on board.

Auburn leaders welcome other churches to participate in this program. If they haven't been contacted yet, the best thing to do if you want to help is call the school and speak with the principal.