The College Crusade of Rhode Island Enrolls 209 New Students
A new group of sixth graders from Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence, and Woonsocket joins the college-readiness program this year
Providence, R.I., December 2, 2008 – This fall, 209 sixth-grade students from Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence, and Woonsocket started school as new members of The College Crusade of Rhode Island. They join thousands of other young Rhode Islanders in grades 6 through 12 who are already members of the organization.
The mission of The College Crusade of Rhode Island is to increase college readiness and career success for youth in Rhode Island’s low-income urban communities. For seven years, from grade 6 all the way to high school graduation, students who are members of The College Crusade benefit from specialized Advisory services and an array of enrichment programs designed to help them prepare for college.
“I am excited to have my daughter Eriana accepted into The College Crusade this year,” says April Patrick, a Providence resident. “Anything that will help my child succeed in school I am all for. As a low-income parent who doesn’t have a lot of extra resources, I appreciate the support The College Crusade provides for her education. Eriana has already attended a study-skills class and gone on a college tour. She goes to a regular Saturday reading program and an afterschool science workshop. Also, the College Crusade Advisor at her middle school has been a great help by keeping in touch with her teachers and updating me on her progress. I am glad my daughter is part of this organization and look forward to many years of being involved.”
“We congratulate Eriana and all the other Rhode Island sixth graders who became Crusaders this fall,” said Paul Moran, CPA, Acting Chair of the Board of Directors for The College Crusade. “From now until they graduate high school, they will have many opportunities to participate in our college-readiness programs and to interact with our exceptional Advisory staff. As new Crusaders, they are walking in the footsteps of others who have shown the way to academic success over the years. We urge them to stay committed to achieving their goals, and we look forward, as always, to supporting them in their college and career aspirations.”
All students admitted to The College Crusade are from low-income families and attend public schools or public charter schools in Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence or Woonsocket. Students apply for membership in the organization when they are in fifth grade. They submit an application form, including an essay explaining why they wish to join. Over the summer, before they enter sixth grade, they participate in a study-skills workshop called Ways to A’s. Students pledge to work hard in school and to be good citizens in their communities. Parents and guardians attend an orientation workshop to demonstrate commitment to their child’s education.
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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