Woodward Hines Education Foundation Get2College Program pilot initiative

Partner: College Countdown MS

Students impacted: 1,600+
Partnership duration: 2+ years 

National reports on college access reveal alarming data about postsecondary participation and college graduation for low-income students and students of color. Many of these students often do not have access to college guidance that more privileged students do. In order to provide expert advising to help students enroll in college and graduate, Get2College designed a pilot program to implement best practices for creating a college culture in high school. Since fall 2016, Get2College has provided support to administrators, counselors, teachers, students, and parents at pilot schools in a three-pronged approach of workshops, special events, and individual counseling in an ongoing multi-year partnership. 

Activities:

• Workshops for students and parents

• College Days, Application Days and FAFSA Days

• Campus tours

• ACT workshops 

Impacts:

• 86% of seniors at pilot schools completed college applications in 2016, with an average of 3.13 applications

• 74% completed college applications in 2017 with an average of 2.6 applications

• HELP grant eligible pilot students rose from 26 in 2014-15 to 66 in 2017-18

• 73% of 2016 graduates attended a college tour

• 100% of pilot schools hosted Get2College staff to present student workshops, parent events, and faculty professional development