New High School Program Gives Kids The Real College Experience

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by BMWK Staff | on August 3rd, 2011 | 2 comments

How many high school students do you know that have meal plans, take classes with college professors and who will have enough credits to graduate with not only a diploma, but an associate’s degree?

A new high school pilot program will get off the ground this fall in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and it promises to not only get kids ready for the rigors of collegiate academic work, but for campus life as well.

From the Washington Post:

In Prince George’s, the middle college targets disadvantaged students. Half of those students accepted into the program are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, or would be the first in their families to go to college.

Officials say the school aims to give motivated students an extra edge, socially and economically, in pursuing their college dreams. The school received 980 applications from eighth-graders. The 100 students admitted were chosen based on such factors as family income, an assessment test and grade-point averages.

“These are talented kids, who, if given the opportunity, can rise to the level,’’ said Kathy Richard Andrews, acting principal of the academy. “They have a lot of strengths. All they need is the opportunity.’’

Check out the rest of the story here.

What do you think about this program? Would you enroll your kid in a program like this?

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Comments (2)

Pknight41 Wednesday - 03 / 08 / 2011 Reply

I'm all for an educational program that levels the playing field for our kids. There are too few of us on college campuses (unless it's an historically black college). Our kids must learn to excell and compete academically with other races, as well as, to acclimate to the social life on a college campus. If this program simulates this, it can give them the advantage they need prior to the time they need it. I call that "an ounce of prevention" it's always better than a "pound of cure"! Our daughter is going to such a school in the fall. The colleges "court" the kids from this school due to their potential for greatness, along with lack of financial means. Many students leave this school with full scholarships to their college of first choice. The motivation to succeed is so great at these schools, and the assistance by teachers (who really care) help the kids to change their lives. What a great way to rebuild the black middle class!
Lady Warrior Wednesday - 03 / 08 / 2011 Reply

What do I think? I think this program has been around for the last 50 years. It is called Upward Bound. These programs prepare disadvantaged youth to successfully join the world of post secondary education. This concept isn't new at all. I've worked in TRIO/Upward Bound for several years and found them to be sucessful. Many years ago, GEAR Up did the exact same thing for middle school students. I commend Prince George County, but they are a day late and a dollar short on the concept of preparing students for college. I recommend America work on family. That is the root of a great deal of this country's ills.