10 Oct Flipping the Odds

We celebrated our biggest Summer Intensive ever — twice!  On July 28 at Sonoma State University and on August 4 at Dominican University, we honored 153 Bay Area students at closing ceremonies for our week-long Intensive.  We also welcomed our new campus partner, CSU East Bay, where 30 students completed cohort work and dorm living experience.

At the closing ceremonies, students (pictured above) practiced and presented performances to an audience of family, friends and 10,000 Degrees supporters.   They each received our certificate of completion and it was clear that this closing was really their beginning.  What follows is our 1-2 year 10,000 Degrees Institute in which students receive guidance from volunteer mentors and our staff through high school graduation. Students participate in workshops and activities during the year, including college and financial aid application workshops and counseling, alumni panel discussions, academic tutoring, SAT test preparation, college tours and career exploration events.  We couple our program work with critical financial support through scholarships — it’s the one-two punch we use to flip the odds for students who, based on their background, are looking at a 24% chance of earning a four-year degree.  We turn that into an 84% chance.