College Success Component
At Work Force Youth Program we believe that getting into college is just the first step. The biggest hurdle is completing college withing five-years and with as little financial debt as possible. That is why we invest heavily in providing our participants with every possible tool to set them up for success. We also believe that no-one can do this alone, so we are a major partner with City of Cambridge’s Office of College Success. Finally we make sure that through out the college application, acceptance, and persistence process, we are engaging our participants’ families and working together as a team to support every participant through this next journey in their life.
Step One: College Readiness
From the moment 8th grade participants start the Work Force Youth Program, they are immersed in an environment that is promoting College and Post Secondary success: Boston College students are helping in the classroom and talking about their experiences; Homework center and classrooms are decorated with college flags and high school senior college application timelines; and participants are constantly hearing from alumni and staff about their experiences in college.
In 9th grade the curriculum starts focusing on academic success and in 10th grade the discussion becomes more focused through the opening of match savings accounts and college trips. In 11th grade spring semester the curriculum is entirely about college culminating in a junior college trip during April break to an out-of-state destination. At this point the Alumni Coach is making the rounds with juniors and talking about college readiness. The summer after their junior year, majority of Work Force students attend a Summer College Immersion program to work on their SAT test and college admission essay.
Step Two: College Matched Savings Accounts
The Matched College Savings Initiative helps Work Force participants to save up to $3,000 for post-secondary expenses in the following steps:
1. Participants open a deposit only savings account with Cambridge Savings Bank in fall of their 10th grade year;
2. They make direct deposits from their class pay or Exploratory jobs pay on a bi-weekly basis;
3. Participants can earn additional money by meeting certain monetized incentives
4. We encourage parents and participants to deposit additional money during the three years before high school graduation;
5. CHA matches dollar for dollar all deposits between $500 and $1500 in each participant’s Matched College Savings Account, for a maximum total of $3000 for the participant to put towards post-secondary expenses.
Step Three: Summer College Immersion Program (SCIP)
SCIP is a partnership with Cambridge Public Schools, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and City of Cambridge Mayor’s Youth Summer Employment Program. Up to 24 participants are selected every summer from a pool of rising senior applicants, both current Work Force participants and other rising senior students who live in Cambridge Public Housing but are not part of Work Force. This six-week summer program offers participants:
Three mornings of intensive SAT Math, SAT English, and College Admissions Essay writing classes
College immersion experience of attending classes on the MIT campus
Full-day college trips to variety of New England colleges for students to compare colleges as they think about creating their list in the fall
Small student to teacher ratio of no larger that 8:1 for each class as well as weekly study hall and Lesley volunteer tutors
Step Four: Senior Year Advising
During their senior year, the Alumni Coach meets with each Work Force participant and creates a post-secondary transition plan. This plan outlines broad-based goals for each student and supports their individual transition needs. Additionally, the Alumni Coach:
Runs two FAFSA workshops for families in late September/early October. The first is to give an overview of financial aid options and have families create the FAFSA profile. The second workshop is to provide individual support as families and students complete the online FAFSA application.
Reviews college admission award letters with families in April and helps them compare the different schools so that they can make the right financial decision.
Meets regularly with each senior during the summer to ensure that they have met all the requirements for starting school in September and helps them with any outstanding issues.
Step Five: Coaching for Persistence
Over the first four-years of participant’s post-secondary life, the Alumni Coach regularly connects with each graduate to insure that they are on track with their goals. The Alumni Coach:
Is gate-keeper for alumni as they request funds from their Match Savings accounts.
In providing individualized supports through mandatory twice a month on campus visits (or virtual visits if students are out of the Greater Boston area) and connects with resources at local colleges so he can provide relevant information to students at each campus.
Organizes annual Care Package drives for alumni at each Work Force site, engaging seniors to create care packages for alumni, as well as coordinating a holiday party for the returning students.
Over 85% of Work Force youth matriculate into a 2 or 4-year College, yet only 36% attain a degree from a 2-year or 4-year institution within 6-years. With the advent of the Post-Secondary Success Initiative and the addition of the college matched savings accounts, our persistence goal for the class of 2016 is to have 60% on track to gain a degree within 6-years and 70% for the class of 2017. Current data from the end of the 2018 fall semester has us exceeding our persistence goals:
Class of 2016: 78% persistence rate (6 students have actually completed either a AA degree or a certificate)
Class of 2017: 82% persistence rate
Class of 2018: 90% persistence rate