Local Students Get Back-to-School Fuel from The College Crusade
Fall 2008 programs keep Rhode Island’s low-income urban students moving forward on the path to higher education
Providence, R.I., September 30, 2008 – The College Crusade of Rhode Island today announced the start of its 2008 fall schedule, which includes many free college-readiness programs and activities for students from Rhode Island’s most disadvantaged urban communities. This fall, College Crusade programs and services are offered on weekdays during and after school and on weekends. Programs available to participating students range from homework clubs and adventure education to college visits and career exploration workshops.
The mission of The College Crusade is to increase educational and career success for youth in Rhode Island’s low-income urban communities. Approximately 3,800 middle school and high school students are members of the organization, with the majority attending public schools in Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence, and Woonsocket. Membership in The College Crusade provides each student with sustained adult mentorship and seven years of free college-readiness programs and services from grade 6 through high school graduation.
Programs and services available to members of The College Crusade during the 2008 fall semester are:
• URI Discovery Days – October 4 and October 18
A Saturday visit for middle school students to the University of Rhode Island, Kingston Campus. Includes a campus tour and scavenger hunt, informational meetings with URI students, and a football game.
• Saturday Academy – October 4 to December 13
A 30-hour academic enrichment program taught by The Princeton Review that helps middle school and high school students build reading, math, and English skills. Held Saturday mornings at School One, Providence.
• CAAP (Crusade Adventure and Academic Program) – October 4 to December 13
A 10-week program in adventure education for middle school students that improves self-esteem and develops skills in problem solving, team building, and healthy risk taking. Includes a writing component. Held on Saturdays at Roger Williams Middle School, Providence, and Ralph J. Holden Community Center, Central Falls.
• Getting to College Conference – October 11
A daylong conference that helps high school students master the various elements of the college admission process. Includes workshops in writing the personal essay, led by guest college admission professionals. Held at Jorge Alvarez High School, Providence.
• Annual Regional College Fair – October 19
Customized information session and orientation for College Crusade families and students before attending the 2008 Annual Regional College Fair. The Fair, sponsored by the RI Association of Admissions Officers, is held at the Community College of Rhode Island, Knight Campus, Warwick.
• Cru Club – October to December
A series of college-readiness and career-exploration programs provided to students after school and on Saturdays. Features college advising, adult mentoring, homework help, study-skills workshops, book clubs, writing workshops, career decision making activities, career speakers, and service learning projects. Held weekdays in 32 middle schools and high schools and on Saturdays at Johnson & Wales University Harborside Campus, Providence. (Runs through May 2009)
• Adventures in Literacy – October to December
A computer-assisted learning program for sixth-grade students called ReadAbout, created by Scholastic, Inc. Includes quiet reading, writing in response to text, and teacher-guided sessions. Held weekdays at three Providence public schools and on Saturdays at The College Crusade office. (Runs through May 2009)
• College visits – November and December
Specially arranged visits for high school students to Nichols College, Simmons College, Rhode Island College, and the University of Rhode Island. Participants tour campus, talk to college students, and learn firsthand about the opportunities and challenges of college life.
• Career Day – December 6
A conference that introduces middle school students to a wide variety of career fields and career professionals. Guest speakers represent industries such as healthcare, finance, business, journalism, law and law enforcement, education, science, and high technology. Held at New England Institute of Technology, Warwick.
About The College Crusade of Rhode Island
The College Crusade of Rhode Island is the state’s most comprehensive college-readiness and scholarship program for middle school and high school students in low-income urban school districts. It serves approximately 3,800 students per year and rewards the efforts and achievements of financially eligible students with up to four years of college scholarships. From grade 6 through grade 12, Crusaders experience the steady, nurturing presence of caring adults and participate in activities that focus on academic enrichment, social and personal development, career awareness and exploration, and readiness for college. Students who are members of The College Crusade graduate and go right on to college at much higher rates than their peers in the state’s urban school districts. Since 2001, The College Crusade has awarded over $18 million in college scholarships to more than 2,500 graduates from Rhode Island high schools. For more information, please visit www.thecollegecrusade.org.
The College Crusade is a nonprofit organization funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s GEAR UP program, by the State of Rhode Island, and by private corporations, foundations, and individuals.
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Karen Donovan
Marketing and Communications Officer
The College Crusade of Rhode Island
134 Thurbers Avenue
Providence, RI 02905
phone 401 854 5506 ext 120
fax 401 854 5511
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The College Crusade of Rhode Island
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