LeadAmerica to host college readiness conference for RCSD high school
BOCA RATON, FL – August 5, 2011 - LeadAmerica announced today that it will be partnering with Rochester City School District (RCSD) to ensure a more successful college experience for its students, particularly Rochester Early College International High School (RECIHS) rising sophomores. LeadAmerica is one of the nation’s educational leaders in personalized experiential learning designed to better prepare middle and high school students for their transition to college and future career. The College Readiness Summit, August 9 – 11 at the Rochester Institute of Technology, will help students focus on both college and career readiness through a three-day immersion experience that emphasizes the skills it takes to succeed in high school, college and beyond. Through a unique partnership between RCSD and LeadAmerica, the three-day College Readiness Summit comes cost-free to participating students.
“The Rochester Early College International staff and scholars are excited about the excellent opportunity to partner with LeadAmerica to produce college ready, globally competent students,” notes RECIHS Principal Marlene Blocker. “Having a college immersion experience this early in high school will confirm the tone being set that all scholars are expected to graduate from college after RECIHS and that they have unlimited support to reach their dreams!”
Academic experts have noted that succeeding in the complex social and educational environment of college has its challenges. Even for high achieving students, the adjustment to college life requires skills that cannot always be taught in the home or in traditional high school classes. Recent estimates show that while almost 70 percent of high school graduates in the United States enroll in college within two years of graduating, only about 57 percent of the students who enroll in a bachelor’s degree program graduate within six years. LeadAmerica and RCSD will together confront this sobering statistic at this College Readiness Summit.
This innovative program was developed for all RECIHS rising sophomores in 2011, and may eventually be opened district wide. LeadAmerica CEO Terrence Stecz is energized by the potential of the College Readiness Summit and excited about the partnership with Rochester City School District. As Mr. Stecz explained, “College offers incredible experiences and amazing opportunities for growth, as well as a maze of temptations, frustrations and distractions. This Summit will allow students to be better prepared for the highly competitive college environment with all its challenges and potential for a bright future.”
The exciting three-day summit will immerse students in an invaluable college experience, enhancing self-esteem and independence as participants develop the tools necessary for accomplishment in college and in their future career path. Workshops focus on a variety of skills, from time management and strategic decision making to collaboration and communication. Attendees will create a personal career readiness plan designed to help them see how their high school years, college years and future path intersect for success in life.
LeadAmerica is one of the nation’s most respected youth development organizations devoted to providing acclaimed college-level academic experiences that deliver tangible improvements in college and career readiness. LeadAmerica offers a diverse curriculum, a highly engaging and rigorous academic experience with hands-on interactive workshops and simulations to immerse students in their chosen field or topic. College-accredited, career-focused conferences are offered annually for 5 to 10 days and are held throughout the summer at leading universities across the United States, including Stanford, Columbia, Johns Hopkins and UCLA. Those interested in learning more about LeadAmerica, should visit lead-america.org or contact a Program Advisor at 1-866-FYI-LEAD (1-866-394-5323).
About LeadAmerica: As one of the nation’s educational leaders in personalized experiential learning, LeadAmerica conferences offer outstanding students the opportunity to explore their future path and discover what inspires them the most. Students gain valuable knowledge and the experience of real college life, on campus, at some of the greatest schools in the country. All LeadAmerica curricula are college-accredited and have been approved by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) for the seventh consecutive year.
About Rochester Early College International High School:Rochester Early College International High School will be starting its second year of operation by having 100 freshmen join the current 86 sophomores. Scholars at RECIHS work toward earning a minimum of 20 college credits during their high school experience while having international content infused into all subject areas. Located at 200 Genesee Street, RECIHS is one of the RCSD’s new portfolio schools.
