Fund for Teachers – Renaissance College Road Trip Redux!
On Thursday, October 21st, five seniors joined me on a day-trip to the Big City (No not Boston, but NYC!) to participate in a film project designed to promote the incredible grant funding work of Fund for Teachers. Fund for Teachers is an organization designed to fund the projects of teachers around the country as [...]
Governor Patrick Comes to Renaissance & Talks College Boundness!
Mass. Gov. Patrick Visits Springfield’s First Innovation School – Welcomes Students Back Edited by Terry Windall Published on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 – 18:32:46 +0000 UTCNo Comment SPRINGFIELD, Mass. /Massachusetts Newswire/ — Mass. Governor Deval Patrick today welcomed students back to school at the Springfield Renaissance School, the city’s first Innovation School, which provides a [...]
Renaissance Class of 2010,
You are out figuring out the dorm decorating, your schedules and how to handle a roommate. Here is some consummate advice about your move to college from the New York Times!!!
Be Well!
http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/23/transition/
CBS3 in Springfield
http://www.cbs3springfield.com/news/local/96441047.html
Springfield Republican
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/1st_class_graduates_from_renai.html
Boston Globe
Boston Herald
http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1261914
USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20100617/states17_st.art.htm
MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37749267
Connecticut Post
http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/All-Springfield-high-school-grads-get-into-college-525235.php
WHDH Channel 7 in Boston
http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/12001445995875/
Education Week
http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2010/06/15/361264mspringfieldhighschool_ap.html?r=451180444
College-Bound:
The Springfield Renaissance School Announces 100 Percent of First Graduating Class Accepted to a College or University
Students have received more than $2.0 million in scholarships and grants
SPRINGFIELD, MA. (June 10, 2010) –The Springfield Renaissance School, an Expeditionary Learning school, has become the first public high school in the City of Springfield to see 100 % of its senior class accepted into college
On June 1st, after the final student shared her admissions news with Principal, Stephen Mahoney, he announced over the loud speaker, “Today it is true, The Springfield Renaissance School is now the first public high school in Springfield to have 100% of its graduates be admitted to college! The founding senior class has worked hard and they deserve this honor!“. The 77 seniors have been admitted into both two and four year colleges, and are expected to enter the doors of colleges and universities around the nation armed with over 2.0 million dollars in scholarships and grants in the fall of 2010. To date, more than 60 colleges or universities have admitted Renaissance students. The schools include UMass Amherst, Hampshire College, Tufts University, Westfield State College, Macalester College, and Wheelock College, among others.
The Springfield Public school district reported that the high school graduation rate for the 2008-2009 school year was 54.5%, with only 52% of those graduates attending college in the fall.
During the months January through May, Dr. Mahoney called off seniors’ names as they received their first admissions letters. Admissions announcements continued for nearly two months. The college admission ‘graffiti wall’ is littered with the signature of each college-bound senior, along with pictures and admissions letters. This is a ritual enacted each time a senior brought their first admissions letters into school.
Springfield Renaissance School principal, Dr. Stephen Mahoney, states, “Our students’ academic achievements have re-established the concept of ‘citizen-scholars’. It gives me tremendous hope for the future of our city, our state, and our nation.”
The students at The Springfield Renaissance School have a rigorous college prep curriculum where they delve deeply into core content during ‘Learning Expeditions’, which are in-depth studies that can span a whole semester. “These expeditions allow us to teach the state and national standards in a way that is relevant and interesting to the students. The depth of our studies and the connection to real-world problems helps the students understand why we are learning what we are learning”, says Aurora V. Kushner, a founding high school science teacher. “Our students are ready to go into college and beyond, as they have already sat at the table with local decision-makers, sharing their learnings and their ideas.” In all learning at the school, there is a focus on critical thinking, problem solving and strong habits of work.
The school will hold its first graduation on June 15th at 6 pm in Symphony Hall in Springfield, MA.
Contact
Dr. Stephen Mahoney
The Springfield Renaissance School, Principal
1170 Carew Street Springfield, MA 01104
phone: 413 750-2929
email: mahoneys@sps.springfield.ma.us
On October 5th 11 seniors from The Springfield Renaissance School hopped into a van with the school’s GEAR-UP staff. Here’s some advice for visiting colleges from Collegeboard.com…
It may be tempting to just yell “roadtrip!” and head out to campuses, but you’ll get more out of your visits if you plan ahead.
It’s important to know something about the college before you arrive on its campus, especially if you have an interview scheduled.
Pick a time that’s convenient to you, but try to go when classes are in session. That way, you can sit in on a lecture or stay in a dorm overnight. You’ll only get a true feel for the campus if you’re there on a day when classes are in full swing.
Schedule your time on campus, too, to make sure you’ll have time for everything you want to do:
Was it X College or Y University that had that excellent exercise equipment in the gym? Where did I talk to that cool psychology professor? You think you’ll remember everything, but you’ll be surprised how colleges start to merge after you’ve seen a few.
Make a list of what college characteristics are most important to you, so you know what to evaluate. Do you feel overwhelmed in a large lecture hall? Check out the class size. Do you have your heart set on joining a sorority or fraternity? See what the Greek system is like on campus. Is there a particular major that you want to pursue? Talk to current students or professors in that department.
Develop a list of your preferences. Take this list to the schools that you plan to visit, and compare them when you get back home.
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/college-visits/73.html
Seniors, If you haven’t already, log on to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov or www.pin.ed.gov and apply for a pin number. There’s an explanation of the pin number below from the www.fafsa.ed.gov site .
Write it down, fold it up and put it someplace safe. You’ll need it to submit your application for financial aid. The majority of financial aid comes through this process. So, get it together now!
Your parents and/or guardians will need to the same.
____
from www.fafsa.ed.gov
A PIN is a 4-digit number that is used in combination with your Social Security Number, name, and date of birth to identify you as someone who has the right to access your own personal information on Federal Student Aid Web sites, such as FAFSA on the Web.
The security of your PIN is important because it can be used to:
You and your parents (if you are a dependent student) will need to sign your FAFSA. We cannot process your FAFSA until we receive your signature(s). Using a PIN to sign your FAFSA electronically is by far the fastest and most reliable way. However, you can print, sign and mail in a signature page, or provide signature(s) on your paper Student Aid Report (SAR).
Tip: You may use your PIN for the duration of your school experience and beyond. The PIN stays the same.
If you or your parents do not already have a PIN, we encourage you to apply for one. You can apply for a PIN while completing a FAFSA on the Web application, or you can go to the Federal Student Aid PIN Web site at www.pin.ed.gov to apply.
Important Note A PIN that is selected or viewed instantly online or is sent to you in an e-mail is considered to be conditional until your information is verified with the Social Security Administration (1-3 days from the date you first apply). You may sign your FAFSA with it, but nothing else. Once we complete this verification, you will be able to use your PIN for other purposes (such as correcting your SAR or accessing other Federal Student Aid Web sites).
A PIN is a 4-digit number that is used in combination with your Social Security Number, name, and date of birth to identify you as someone who has the right to access your own personal information on Federal Student Aid Web sites, such as FAFSA on the Web.
The security of your PIN is important because it can be used to:
You and your parents (if you are a dependent student) will need to sign your FAFSA. We cannot process your FAFSA until we receive your signature(s). Using a PIN to sign your FAFSA electronically is by far the fastest and most reliable way. However, you can print, sign and mail in a signature page, or provide signature(s) on your paper Student Aid Report (SAR).
Tip: You may use your PIN for the duration of your school experience and beyond. The PIN stays the same.
If you or your parents do not already have a PIN, we encourage you to apply for one. You can apply for a PIN while completing a FAFSA on the Web application, or you can go to the Federal Student Aid PIN Web site at www.pin.ed.gov to apply.
Important Note A PIN that is selected or viewed instantly online or is sent to you in an e-mail is considered to be conditional until your information is verified with the Social Security Administration (1-3 days from the date you first apply). You may sign your FAFSA with it, but nothing else. Once we complete this verification, you will be able to use your PIN for other purposes (such as correcting your SAR or accessing other Federal Student Aid Web sites).
Darn It! I forgot Renny…
University of San Francisco is a small, liberal arts school that has its core values rooted in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. The school is located in the heart of San Francisco, atop one of the many steep hills in San Francisco and has two campuses – Lone Mountain and the Main Campus. There are just under 5,000 undergraduates at the school and has 3,700 or so graduate and professional studies students. In total, there are around 8,700 students at USF. The student:faculty ratio is 14:1 and the average number of students in a core class is 28 (20 in majors). Students must take courses within a required Core Curriculum – 11 classes in 6 designated areas, a service learning course, cultural diversity and foreign language. Students meets these requirements in addition to satisfying requirements for their major and/or minor. The school has a renowned community service learning program, where students study issues and then work in the community to earn credit (i.e. Perhaps study health care as it homeless population and work in a shelter health clinic)– all USF students must take own of these class to graduate. A typical array of majors is available to students, as well as the opportunity to study abroad. The programs available to undergraduate students are College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Nursing, and the School of Business and Management. There is also 4+3 Law Program and 5 year program in Computer Science and Teacher Preparation. Jesuits are known for their work around the globe and students are encouraged to go off campus and to travel around the world.
The school is explicit about student diversity and has a Diversity and Multicultural Recruitment and Retention Office that works with admissions and the student population. The ethnic makeup of the school is ranked in the top 20 of U.S. News and World Report and the Princeton Review. Fall 2008 Breakdown – White 39%, Asian-American 20%, Latino/Hispanic 15%, International 7%, African American 4%, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 2%, Native American 1%, and Unidentified 11%. The school went so far as to publish its graduation rates for different students groups on the website, something I appreciated!
Admissions requirements are the Common Application. A selective college, the average GPA is 3.5 and the average combined SAT for admitted students is 1120 (ACT 25). Tuition-wise, costs are just under $45,000 and 67% of the student population receives financial aid.
University of California Santa Cruz is the place my role model, Angela Y. Davis taught for years the person on FBI WANTED poster in my office!!!). UCSC is another school with a fabulous shoreline locale. I decided not to actually visit UC Santa Cruz’s campus (see the VIDEO) on the traditional tour. Instead, I decided to watch the school’s video to get a feel of how a school attempts to tell students what they are all about remotely. In a way, the different voices in the video are helpful. As with any tour, information, podcast or video, it the school putting its BEST foot forward. UCSC focuses on interdisciplinary study and students can choose from 60 majors within the schools of Engineering, Arts, Humanities, and Biological and Social Sciences. Examples are bioengineering, computer game design, and a Health Sciences program focused on qualifying for medical school that includes Spanish proficiency. NASA has a first-of-its-kind research program at the university as well.
Just over 15,000 undergraduates are enrolled (2% African American, 0.9% Native American, Asian/PI 21.5%, Chicano/Latino 17.7%, White 49.9% and 5.6% Unstated). UCSC has a residential college system similar to UCSD and makes a big school smaller. The admit rate for UCSC is 63.2% and the average high school GPA is 3.76, SAT 591/609/597 out of 2400. Students with GPAs under 3.0 have an admit rate of 6.8%.
Check out the school’s photo gallery – (http://admissions.ucsc.edu/see/photoGallery/index.cfm)
Check out the “Tommy Cam” for Tuesday, July 21st. Can you find me?!!!
University of Southern California is located in the heart of Los Angeles and takes up over 230 acres of land. This is a large, private, liberal arts university. There are over 2,700 students entering in the fall of 2009 (7% African American, 14% Latino, 2% Native American/PI, 25% Asian/Asian American, 45% White and 6% International students); there are over 16,500 undergraduates and 15,700 graduate students. It goes without saying that USC is the home of the Trojans, BIG TIME football – “Fight On!” It goes without saying that USC has one of premier marching bands and the scholarships to go with it.
Most students enter the Letters, Arts & Sciences and Business programs (a fair number are undeclared when they enter – some 16%). Being in LA, the school touts access to terrific film, broadcasting and journalism programs – with great internships in the heart of it all.
Admissions-wise, the school has a 22% admit rate. The application process is: Optional Part I 10/15, Part II 12/15 (scholarship), and Part II (application) 1/10.The mean GPA for admitted students is 3.7 and mean SAT 1910-2200. Out-of-State students make up 39% of the 2009 freshman class.
Tuition is over $51,000. USC commits to meeting all of the EFC through merit scholarships (full, half and quarter tuition), university grants, state and federal aid, loans and work-study. About 24% of entering freshmen received merit scholarships and over 60% received FA.
The College Road Trip Never Ends