Programs

A strong college-going culture throughout a child’s school experience is normally the strongest predictor of going to college. Yet, this integrated pattern of knowledge, belief, and behavior is often missing for students from low-income families. Peak Education helps create this culture inspiring scholars to:

• create and implement strategies to maintain high grades;
• have confidence in their ability to achieve college goals
• understand the necessary steps for college entrance;
• understand the process of securing financial aid;
• have high personal expectations and accountability;
• develop a network of college-focused peers; and
• encourage others to follow in their footsteps.

Scholars are mentored by staff helping them maintain good grades through discussions about their academic progress and guidance in creating a plan that addresses unsatisfactory grades. In this process, scholars gain confidence in their ability to solve problems and use community and school resources to achieve their goals. Community mentors assist each high school senior in navigating the unfamiliar and complex college and scholarship application process.

Familiarity and experiences with the college culture, while in middle school and high school, increases scholars success in making the critical adjustment to college life. Scholars have an opportunity to participate in a pre-collegiate program on the campus of the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. These classes focus on leadership skills, study habits, strategies for surviving high school and preparing for success in college. Scholars also have an opportunity to take college-credit classes while in high school and visit local college campuses.

We find that many parents feel uncertain about allowing their children to go to college because of their unfamiliarity with college culture. Events like our Family Science Day at UCCS give parents and their other children an opportunity to experience college firsthand. Hands-on activities with experiments involving water, wind, electricity, and computerized robots helps create an excitement about college for the whole family.

Beginning in 7th grade at the Peak Education Scholar/Parent Leadership Camp, scholars and their parents and are helped to create a vision of success and goals to achieve their vision. They are challenged throughout their years in Peak Education to make choices that are consistent with their goals. Scholars are encouraged to assume leadership roles in their schools, churches, synagogues, and community. During monthly in-school meetings scholars build leadership skills, gain skills for academic success, create friendships with other scholars, and gain valuable life-skills. Appendix A lists the topics for the 2011-2012 school year. Magic of Two, our annual gala, and the Ambassador’s Circle dinner provide opportunities for our scholars to gain confidence and develop networking skills.

Parents sign a contract with Peak Education stating their desire for their child to go to college and a commitment to be pro-active in helping their child succeed. The entire family attends events where they build connections with other families and hear speakers on a myriad of topics relating to success in school, college entrance and parenting. Families participate in hikes and many volunteer opportunities within our community. Peak Education becomes a trusted resource for the families. Home visits by Peak Education staff and board members build relationships and a better understanding of the needs of our scholars and their families. Referrals to other community organizations by Peak Education are often made to help our families with the many challenges they face.

Volunteerism within the community builds self-esteem and worth and provides a vehicle for giving back. Scholars are given opportunities to mentor younger Scholars and to be positive role models. A newly formed Scholar Advisory Board will provide another vehicle for college and graduate Scholars to stay connected and involved in giving the same opportunity they had to others. We are now seeing a ripple effect in families, schools and the neighborhood as the number of Scholars grows.

Peak Education has awarded over $95,000 in scholarships to Peak Education scholars. In addition The Kane Family Foundation has committed two 5-year tuition fees and books scholarships to be awarded annually to Peak Education scholars. CSU has added Peak Education to their Partnership Scholarship Program committing $2,500 per year for four years to any Peak Education scholar attending CSU Fort Collins or CSU Pueblo. The Pikes Peak Education Foundation is in the process of raising other scholarships for Peak Education scholars.