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College Preparation for High School Students |
Reach for College! (RFC!) and Shaw Community Ministry work in partnership to tackle the low college attainment rate among students in DC’s Shaw community. The organizations deliver an out-of-school college prep program, using the Reach for College! curriculum, to teens in grades 9-12. The Reach for College! program walks students through the critical steps of preparing for, applying to and succeeding in college. Students are introduced to a broad range of topics aimed at giving them the upper hand in their pursuit of a postsecondary education. Among the topics, students explore how to develop good study habits; prepare for college entrance exams; select a college that is the right fit for their career choice; and how to put together a good college application. Students also research financial resources that are available to pay for college. Anne Troy, executive director, Shaw Community Ministry, says that partnering with RFC! is a major step in her goal of creating a college-going mindset among the students and families she serves. The Shaw Ministry/Reach for College! college prep program is funded by a grant provided by DC’s Neighborhood Investment Fund. The program includes a cohort of 20 students, some of which are members of the New Community Center, another SCM community partner. The eight-month program runs from May through December 2011. Through the program, participants also are exposed to the real world of work by interacting with professionals who participate in RFC!-hosted career panel discussions. In addition, RFC! will conduct college tours at the University of Virginia and DC-based universities. Recognizing the critical role of parents, RFC! hosts several workshops to help parents understand the college-going process, how to identify financial resources to pay for college, and how to help their teen successfully transition from high school to college.
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