College Summit :: Southern California

Southern California

College Summit is a national non-profit organization, founded in 1993 on the belief that all students have the potential to continue their educations beyond high school. In 2003, College Summit broke ground in Los Angeles, establishing its Southern California region.

Since its inception, College Summit Southern California has helped more than 2,300 students get to college, with Peer Leaders enrolling at a rate of 68% – nearly twice as many as those who do not participate in our program. What’s more, our college enrollees are staying in college, with more than 75% advancing to their second year.

During the 2011-2012 academic year, CS Southern California is working with nearly 3,000 students at eight high schools across the Southland to drive up college enrollment rates. To meet this end, we’re training and supporting more than 100 educators and 230 Peer Leaders to foster college-going cultures at their high schools. We’re meeting our mission of giving more students the chance to pursue their dreams in college.

College Summit – Southern California
5601 W. Slauson Ave., Suite 265
Culver City, CA 90230
t. 310.216.2701
f. 310.216.2897
e. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Recent Accomplishments

The 2010-2011 school year was a powerful time for Southern California. During summer 2011, we held four Peer Leader Workshops at the University of Redlands and the University of Southern California, which were attended by more than 230 Peer Leaders and staffed by a cadre of nearly 60 volunteers from around the country. We trained more than 100 principals, teachers, and counselors at our Educator Academies, where they learned how to better prepare students for the college application process and foster college-going cultures in their high schools.

Our region grew organizationally during the last year as well. Southern California gained an Executive Director and a Program Manager, and hired a new Community Engagement Coordinator. We’ve expanded our budget significantly thanks to generous grants from the Weingart Foundation and the Rose Hills Foundation. And we’ve grown our Alumni base through the founding of the Alumni Liaison Board.

Our Impact

“Any student who completes the College Summit program cannot help but internalize the message that all students can be successful after high school…The connections our students make through the College Summit program encourage them to take risks, dream beyond their experience and reach out for what they want."

Beth Winningham, College Counselor, Arleta High School