Queens charter school awarded funds for college prep program

The Renaissance Charter School in Queens, New York, was recently awarded funding from the state that will go toward helping students prepare for a successful college education after graduation. The school currently offers students a four-year high school education which is already enhanced by extensive after school programs aimed at prepping students for college.

Students who attend the Renaissance Charter School generally come from middle to lower income families where financing for college is hard to come by. Because of the school’s success rate at helping inner city youths go on to receive college degrees, the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) has awarded it a College Access Challenge Grant (CACG).

The funds were given to New York state through the U.S. Department of Education. The rule for allocation stipulates that funding goes to not-for-profit agencies and community-based organizations that work directly with at-risk and historically underserved populations to improve college awareness, readiness, and attendance.

In conjunction with the 82nd Street Academics, a community group located in the borough, the Renaissance School will enhance the initiatives it already has in place and develop a full-service after-school program that will provide a wide range of academic aid.

Students will be given tutoring for classes they are currently enrolled in as well as help studying for the PSAT and SAT. The program will also be open to members of the community who aren’t students at the charter school but are at risk of dropping out of college. 

Financial aid consultants will be on hand at the school, as well as other professionals with experience helping students in lower income communities. 

As well as academic help, the program will also include time for sports and other recreational activities after school.