WHAT
Free information sessions about the San Antonio College Gateway to College© dropout recovery program.  A true second chance for students, the Gateway to College© program enables participants to earn a high school diploma, and offers opportunities to simultaneously earn college credit.
 
The program covers the costs of tuition, books, and fees, with funding from the national Gateway program, partnering school districts and San Antonio College.
 
WHO
Open to students ages 16 to 20, who dropped out of high school, or are behind in credits and in jeopardy of not completing high school.
 
Students should live in any of the following school districts: Alamo Heights ISD, Comal ISD, North East ISD, Northside ISD, and San Antonio ISD,  New Braunfels; have fewer than 17 credits, and the intent to acquire their high school diploma, as well as earn college credits.
 
WHEN
Several sessions:
Tuesdays, October 14, October 28, November 11, and November 18
 
Each session runs 6-8 p.m.
 
Interested students, and their parents, should plan to attend one session.
Be sure call for a reservation and to arrive early to ensure ample time for parking.
 
WHERE
Travis Early College High School Building
1915 N. Main, 78212
Enter on north side of building, from parking lot on Courtland Place street.
The specific room number will be posted on the Front Office door.
 
HOW
Sessions are free but reservations are required.
Call SAC Gateway to College© at (210) 486-0170.

BACKGROUND
In line with its community college mission, SAC applied for and received a grant from Portland Community College (PCC) to replicate the Gateway to College© program.
 
PCC is the originator of the dropout recovery program, and a national intermediary in the Early College High School Initiative (ECHSI) that is funded by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Additional funding partners include the Carnegie Corporation of New York, The Ford Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
 
Because students in SAC's Gateway to College© program come from a population that is at high risk for dropout, they are grouped as a learning community during their first semester, called the Foundation Term. The structure allows them to be enrolled in courses with their high school peers as they build their academic and personal skills and prepare for college courses. After successfully completing the Foundation Term, students will transition to classes with the regular college population.
 
CONTACT
SAC Gateway to College© office, (210) 486-0170
And online at http://www.accd.edu/sac/gateway/html/info_sched.html