Access to Award $552,000 in Scholarships
Access to Award $552,000 in High School Tuition Scholarships to 8th Grade Students
ST. LOUIS, MO. April 24, 2014– Forty-six middle school students who are completing Access Academies’ rigorous middle school curriculum program will receive over $550,000 in tuition dollars the next four years to attend 13 private, college preparatory high schools in St. Louis. These scholarships are in addition to tuition scholarships already pledged to current high school students served by Access.
“All of our 8th grade students were accepted to their high school of choice, and we are proud of the hard work and dedication shown by our students to earn academic admittance to these schools,” said Blake Youde, executive director of Access Academies.
Founded in 2005, Access Academies transforms the challenging middle school years into a launching pad for high school success for socially/economically disadvantaged students in faith-based schools in St. Louis by using a proven educational model, which includes 10-hour school days, mandatory summer school, and parental involvement. Nearly 600 students are currently enrolled and/or have successfully completed the program.
After completing the middle school curriculum, Access students then enter the Graduate Support Program, which provides additional support at the high school level through tutoring, mentoring, tuition scholarships, and counseling. As a result, 99% of students graduate high school on time. High school students will also participate in ACT test prep courses, make college campus visits and receive assistance in completing college admissions applications. As a result, 93% are admitted to colleges and/or universities, many of whom are first-generation college students in their families.
“Access makes a seven-year commitment to each student served, beginning in sixth grade, through high school graduation and college acceptance. The results speak for themselves. Our students are now enrolled at colleges and universities throughout the country,” added Youde.
The Access Academies’ middle school program is found at three partner schools, including:
*Most Holy Trinity School and Academy at 1435 Mallinckrodt St.
*St. Cecilia School and Academy at 906 Eichelberger
*St. Louis the King School at the Cathedral at 4430 Maryland Ave.
For more information regarding this release, please contact Julie Linder, Public Relations for Access Academies, by calling (573) 268-0639.
For a printable copy of the release, please click here.
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