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Support for getting to college at SVHS

At Sonoma Valley High School we recognize that all students seeking acceptance at a four-year college or university will need to ensure that the college application process will be successful.

Support starts at home, continues on at school, and then is often received through a variety of services and organizations in the community. We are very fortunate to have a variety of support programs that are available to high school students and their families.

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SVHS College & Career Center/Counseling Department

The College & Career Center, as a part of our Counseling Department, offers a variety of resources to support students through the college application process. Resources include: college nights for juniors/seniors and their parents, college representative visitations, attendance at college fairs, college workshops for juniors and seniors, academic resume writing support, SAT/ACT test prep courses and information, financial aid information and support, scholarship information and college application assistance.

The center is open before school, during class time, at breaks, at lunch and after school. For more information, contact Kathleen Hawing, College & Career Center director at khawing@sonomavly.k12.ca.us.

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AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)

AVID is designed to increase school-wide learning and performance. The AVID program accelerates student learning while using research-based methods of effective instruction. AVID targets students in the academic middle – B, C, and even D students – who have the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard. Typically, these students will be the first in their families to attend college, and many are from low-income or minority families. AVID puts them on the college track through acceleration instead of remediation. Students take an AVID class all four years during high school. The recruitment and application process generally takes place in middle school. Go to www.avid.org for information, or contact coordinator Tammy Rivara at trivara@sonomavly.k12.ca.us.

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CAAT (College Application Accelerated Track)

Juniors who are on track to complete “a-g” requirements, and who have a strong desire to explore a variety of four-year college options, who are motivated, and who are able to keep to a specified timeline, are eligible to apply for the College Application Accelerated Track Program. A program created at SVHS in the spring of 2011, CAAT provides information and support services to juniors to stay ahead of the college application process, giving students a better chance at success with their college applications. CAAT students are also encouraged to help or mentor their peers through the college application process. For more information, contact Kathleen Hawing at khawing@sonomavly.k12.ca.us.

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Outside Agencies Working with Sonoma Valley High School:

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10,000 Degrees

The goal of 10,000 Degrees is to help students from low-income households get on the path to a college degree. In existence since 1981, it has helped more than 15,000 Marin-based students and is now extending to the North Bay with a satellite office in Sonoma. The two-year long program includes a five-night, six-day Summer Institute at Sonoma State and a college advisor who works with the student throughout the junior and senior years to explore college choices and complete college applications, followed by financial aid counseling and academic advising during college. Go to 10000degrees.org.

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Academic Talent Search (ATS) at Sonoma State University.

ATS focuses on recruiting sixth- and seventh-graders who will embark on a pre-college path, but does add new students in grades eight to 10. Two-thirds of ATS students are low-income, first-generation and college-bound. Students must maintain a minimum GPA requirement, enroll in “a-g” courses and attend designated ATS sessions at SSU. Students receive one-to-one advising with an ATS outreach advisor, workshops, college visitations, and tours, SAT/ACT and financial aid workshops, and tutorial services. www.sonoma.edu/usps/ats/ats_about.htm.

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College Bound – Boys & Girls Club of Sonoma Valley.

College Bound is a free program offered to students in grades nine to 12. Students receive college advising, workshops, opportunities for college field trips and tours and academic tutoring. Students must be members of the Boys & Girls Club of Sonoma Valley. For more information, contact Robin Eurgubian at reurgubian@bgcsonoma.org.

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QuestBridge

The QuestBridge National College Match helps high achieving low-income high school seniors gain admission and full, four-year scholarships to some of the nation’s most selective colleges. QuestBridge’s partner colleges offer generous financial packages that cover 100 percent of demonstrated financial need. Students apply in the spring of their junior year. Applicants should be U.S. citizens or legal residents, are generally in the top 5 percent to 10 percent of their class and carry academically rigorous course load. Go to questbridge.org.

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Students Rising Above (SRA)

Students Rising Above selects low-income high school juniors in the nine-county Bay Area who have overcome tremendous obstacles, and who want to go to college. Students selected will receive individualized mentoring support, financial assistance and employment skills. Students apply in the spring of their junior year, must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, be highly recommended by a teacher, counselor or mentor, have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be willing to talk about life experiences. Go to studentsrisingabove.org/sra-scholars-program.

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Summer Search

Summer Search services approximately 200 youth (sophomores, juniors and seniors) in the Bay Area by providing low-income, first-generation college-bound students with opportunities for life-changing summer programs and mentoring throughout 10th to 12th grade and beyond. Summer Search looks for introspective students who are open to examining and changing their behaviors and future, who are empathetic and who show that they can work hard to achieve their goals. Candidates must be permanent residents or citizens, or show a clear path in the documentation process, and must be referred by a teacher or counselor to be considered. Go to summersearch.org.

General information about outside agencies/programs can be found on their individual websites. Students interested in application timelines and requirements should see their counselor and/or visit the College & Career Center at SVHS.