College Access Program Services

The Foundation provides a variety of activities and services through its College Access Program to encourage and assist students in grades 4 through 12 to continue their education after graduation from high school. When it first began in October 2001, our College Access Program provided services only to students at Patrick County High School. Since the spring of 2005, however, we have begun to reach out to students as early as 4th grade to encourage them and their parents to see a college education as both achievable and important.

During the 2005 – 2006 and 2006 - 2007 academic years, the Foundation has participated in the “College Guide Program” sponsored by the University of Virginia and funded by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. This program provides the Foundation with a full-time College Access Advisor and Guide who, working alongside our veteran College Access Program Coordinator Susan Huff, helps enhance and expand the services we can offer to county school children and their parents.

Here is a glimpse of a few of the services the Foundation currently provides through its College Access Program.

1. In-school advisors who work directly with students and parents. From their offices at Patrick County High School, our two College Access Program staff members conduct programs and workshops for students and parents on why college is important, how to prepare for college academically and financially, how to complete the college and financial aid application processes and much more. They also provide one-on-one assistance to students and their parents with applying to college and securing college financial aid and host tours of college campuses several times each year. Through the Class of 2006, we have assisted Patrick County High School seniors in obtaining over $3.5 million in college financial aid.



2. A comprehensive SAT preparation program. Studies show that high SAT scores can increase the number and quality of college choices available to students and increase the amount of financial aid for which they qualify. Since the College Access Program began, our Advisors have worked to encourage more of our high school students to take the SAT as an important first step toward planning and preparing for post-secondary education. We now offer expanded SAT preparation options to Patrick County High School students to assist them in scoring their best. In addition to the traditional after-school SAT prep, students can also enroll in a for-credit SAT study course as part of their regular school day, attend intensive summer workshops or engage in self-paced online and CD-based study.



3. Early Awareness programs and activities for students in grades 4 through 7. Beginning in the spring of 2005, our College Access Program staff members now visit each of the county’s schools to talk with parents and students about career opportunities and postsecondary education options.



4. “Challenge Agreements” for 9th graders. The goal of our College Access Program is to make it possible for a larger percentage of our high school graduates to pursue postsecondary education. To achieve this, we know we must use a variety of tools to encourage students and their parents to focus on the many opportunities and possibilities that lie ahead.
   

   The “Challenge Agreement” is one such tool. Through it, we challenge each 9th grader to:

   • Maintain throughout their high school career at least a 2.0 grade point average,
   • Achieve a minimum of 90% school attendance record,
   • Refrain from the use of alcohol and other drugs,
   • Participate in Foundation-sponsored College Access activities and
   • Give back to the community through volunteering.
   
   The Foundation’s pledge to those who meet our challenge is that we will assist them in finding the necessary financial resources to attend college or technical school upon graduation.
   

5. College student retention project. Once Patrick students enroll in post-secondary study, we want them to persist and graduate. Because so many of our students are first-generation college, we know that many will need special encouragement and assistance to assure them of success. Our College Access staff members began a retention project in 2006 to offer this kind of support. Among our retention activities are exam “care packages” for each student and emailed and handwritten cards of encouragement.
   
   
6. For students in grades 7 through 12, we offer ScholarShop®. This course provides a resource-based curriculum for motivating and preparing students for post-secondary education. Through it, students learn skills that will help them evaluate their strengths and interests, make the most of their high school years and identify and prepare for rewarding career and educational pursuits.