Partnering to Deliver College Access Services in Urban High Schools Gear Up Conference April 2016

Workshop Objectives Understand the opportunities and challenges of partnering with an urban school district to offer college access services Learn about services and programs for building an effective college access program and ensuring student success Identify measures to consider when evaluating effectiveness

Yonkers Partners in Education We believe that every student we work with has the right to earn a college degree and have the opportunity to forge a successful career and meaningful life Nonprofit, community based organization established in 2008 Private donor and grant funded Programs and services built on four s trategic pillars: college awareness college readiness college access college persistence

Yonkers, NY Fourth largest school district in New York State ◦27,000 students ◦31 Pre K-8 Schools; 8 high schools Ethnicity 54% Hispanic 22% Black 17% White 7% Asian Low Income/First Generation ◦75% free and reduced lunch; 90% free and reduced in high schools Academically Underprepared 14% college and career ready as defined by NY State

Opportunities and Challenges Opportunities: Providing additional support for students Creating a positive college culture Focusing on finding best fit colleges Instituting college admissions metrics Challenges: Navigating the high school culture and establishing trust Working in under-resourced schools Educating students and families about possibilities Creating program visibility

Services and Programs College Centers 1-on-1 Advising Volunteer Support

College Center

1-on-1 Advising

Volunteer Support

Services and Programs, cont’d College Access Services Campus Visits Test Prep Essay Writing Selective College Match Interview Skills Application Completion Financial Aid Information/FAFSA Completion Scholarship Identification – Contests

Campus Visits

Test Prep

Selective College Match

Services and Programs, cont’d College Transition Alumni Day College Day Dorm Drive FastTrack College – Summer Bridge College Success – For College Students

Dorm Drive

College Success

Measurement Tools Customized Computer Sign In and Program Tracking System Naviance National Student Clearinghouse

Program Metrics Academic Standardized Tests (ACT/SAT Scores) College Admission % Students Submitting College Applications % Students Intending a 2 or 4 Year College (including Barron’s Tier 1-4) % Students Submitting FAFSA Applications Scholarship/TAP/Pell Money Awarded College Enrollment and Persistence Enrollment at 2 and 4 year colleges versus intentions Persistence at 2 and 4 year colleges

College Access Outcomes – YPIE Cohort, Class of 2015 College Access OutcomesClass of 2015 % Students submitting college applications99% % Students intending to attend a 2 year college41% % Students intending to attend a 4 year college**59% Scholarships/ Pell/TAP awarded$45.5 million % Students submitting FAFSA75% * Intending to attend – as reported by students **Includes Selective Colleges

Workshop Facilitators Ellen Cutler Levy, Stephanie Russo, Jessica Striano, Yonkers Partners in Education