Meet the 2011 NCR Deloitte College-going Culture Award Winners!

Crossland High School: Crossland experienced phenomenal growth in its college-going culture in 2010-11. The school’s Peer Leaders took a lead in transforming the culture in their school. They created a College Summit Club. The school signed up students not enrolled in College Summit to ensure that they received the same important information about post-secondary planning. The Peer Leaders encouraged the expansion of the role of teachers in getting students to think about college. Peer Leaders made pennants for each teacher’s door indicating what college he or she attended. Students were encouraged to talk to teachers who attended schools they were interested in attending. At their “College Profile Fair”, College Summit students created a beautiful tri-fold display board conveying key information about a wide variety of colleges in the U.S.  Peer Leaders gave tours of these boards located in the media center where students could gain information about the colleges, prior to visiting or going to the college fair. Crossland has been transformed as a direct result of College Summit. Last year this school’s college enrollment rate was just over 70%, and over 90% of their students applied to college. Thus far, 97% of their students have applied to college, with acceptance rates also poised to exceed last year’s rates. Because of this success, 50 students and the principal of Crossland were invited to the White House where they were recognized by First Lady Michelle Obama.

C.H. Flowers High School: The Peer Leaders at C.H. Flowers were eager to implement the skills that they learned at the 2010 Summer Workshop at Trinity University. This year they expanded and built upon an already significant college-going culture at their school. They created a display in the school’s main hallway encouraging high school graduation and college attendance. A college-going assembly was held for the senior class where the Peer Leaders helped to demystify the application process. They also served as instructors for a class called “College 101”, using resources from College Summit’s curriculum and College Summit-NCR’s office. The Peer Leaders taught over 85 of their classmates how to manage and get the most of their senior year. One of the Peer Leaders wrote a twice monthly column for their school paper. In the classroom, students used their Facebook and Twitter accounts to assist other students with completing the FAFSA, providing information about scholarships and reminders of test dates. During “College Days”, each faculty member was asked to discuss with their classes what their time in college was like, with a focus on the application process and financing college. 73% of their 2010 graduates are currently enrolled in 4 year colleges and universities and 2 year colleges. This year 80% of the senior class has been accepted into college.