The Program

Project Discovery is a community-based program that addresses the problem of unequal access to higher education by low-income and/or potential first generation college students. Program activities (primarily academic support, counseling, goal-oriented workshops and campus visits) help low-income junior and senior high students set goals for their lives, increase self-esteem, and become the first in their family to go to college. Approximately 2,750 participants are served each year.

High school participants in Project Discovery's College Option Orientation Program visit three to seven college campuses, and participate in workshops about life planning, study skills, admissions procedures, financial aid, and choosing a college. They attend cultural enrichment activities, receive SAT and college application fee waivers, learn to use Guidance Information System computers for college selection, and attend a graduation/recognition banquet.

Junior high students join "Discovery Groups," which serve as an early intervention catalyst for disadvantaged sixth to eighth graders who have been identified as having potential but needing special attention. These students become part of a peer support group and participate in activities that include campus visits, cultural events, career education, and experiential workshops on topics such as life planning, communication skills, and choosing high school courses.

A key to Project Discovery's success is the active involvement of individuals and institutions working together to provide enriching experiences for the students. Colleges furnish meals, lodging, and workshop leaders; local churches, businesses and community groups support the program through cash and in-kind donations; public school systems cooperate by referring students to the program and sharing resources such as transportation. Parental involvement is also a vital part of the program: parents attend special informational workshops, receive updates on their children's progress, and act as chaperones on out-of-town trips. This pooling of talents and contributions from a variety of sources enables young people who have been "turned off" by traditional education to get "turned on" to their potential for attending college.

Many local programs now work with elementary students, offering curricula designed to start the thought process early during the students’ educational experience.

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