With a history of positive results, Senior Summer Program at San Antonio College eases transition for high school graduates - applications due May 5

(San Antonio, TX, April 12, 2006) ­ Again this summer, San Antonio College
(SAC) will offer the six-week Senior Summer Program to assist graduating high school seniors and recent GED completers with transition into college. Utilizing curriculum geared to the First Time In College student, participants may enroll in and complete up to seven college credit hours.

Applications are being accepted now through May 5, at the SAC Department of Evening, Weekend, and Distance Education, (210) 733-2478. The program begins with orientation class on Saturday, June 3. Regular classes will run Mondays through Fridays, June 5 ­ July 13, 2006.

To help offset tuition costs, which can average $371 before books, the Alamo Community College District (ACCD) offers alternative funding on a first-come, first-served basis, provided that students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 2005-2006 forms by May 5, 2006.
(Note: FAFSA 2005-2006 requires the income tax forms from 2004, not from
2005.) At the time they complete the FAFSA form, students are encouraged to also begin the college admissions process for the upcoming Fall semester.

While most students will enroll in developmental classes (English and math) to prepare them for the college-level courses, college-credit academic foundation courses offered include: English 1301 (Freshman Composition I), History 1301, Math 1314 (College Algebra) and Sociology 1301.

"We are sensitive to the needs of this population," said Ruben Flores, Dean of Evening, Weekend & Distance Education. "Thus, the program has its own schedule, offers financial assistance, utilizes special curriculum and emphasizes cohort enrollment so that students enroll in courses with their high school classmates rather than be mixed with regular college students."

Faculty involved since the program began in 1999 who are familiar with these students' needs will teach the courses. Before classes begin, they will receive each student¹s information, such as the high school attended, previous grade and conduct reports.

Students participating in the SAC Senior Summer Program are also enrolled in a Student Development and Orientation (one-hour credit) course, to learn strategies for college success, such as course expectations, study skills and time management training. The orientation class will be held on Saturdays, June 3 and June 10, for eight hours each day.

Program organizers expect to serve more than 250 students this summer, based on last year¹s enrollment of 236 students, and the growth trends seen annually. In 2005, almost half of the participants came from the San Antonio Independent School District, mostly from area schools Jefferson, Edison, Fox Tech and Lanier (J.E.T.L.). More than 40 percent of students were involved with the San Antonio Education Partnership.

According to Program Coordinator Manuel Gonzalez III, the program has proven effective. "We are thrilled with the results ­ last year¹s completion rate was 90 percent and the productive grade rate was 85 percent," Gonzalez said.

Since the start of Fall 2005 semester, he said, program staff and volunteers have assisted participants with their transitions. As of October 27, 2005, ninety percent (90%) of Senior Summer students had transitioned to post-secondary education. One hundred eighty six, or 78%, transitioned to SAC, seven to St. Philips College, four to Northwest Vista College, four to Palo Alto College, two are enrolled in Continuing Education programs at SAC, and the remaining went on to other universities and intuitions of higher education. Gonzalez attributes much of the success to the ACCD initiative Student Program Development - (East, West, South) Community Centers, and the SAC College Access Project for High School Seniors.

"Another wonderful aspect of the program is its agreement with undocumented students," said Dean Flores. "Students who fall within the admissions qualifications of Texas House Bill 1403, section 2 and/or section 4 can receive funding for the program and attend college as undocumented students."

San Antonio College averages 10 percent of its participating Senior Summer Students as undocumented and satisfies the guidelines established by the above house bill.

For details, contact Gonzalez in the SAC Department of Evening, Weekend, and Distance Education, 733-2478 or mangonza@accd.edu.