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Pennsylvania College Access Challenge Grant Program at Woodland Hills High School

Summer Bridge Program

Rising 9th Graders at Woodland Hills High School participated in a Summer Bridge Program offered by the PA College Access Challenge Grant Program. The one-week program was created to help twenty rising 9th graders “bridge” the gap between Junior High School and Senior High School. Beginning on June 8 at the Junior High, and ending with a college visit on June 12, students had time to get to know each other, become familiar with the High School building, and participate in workshops that helped them prepare to be better high school students.

The week began with a visit to the Community College of Allegheny County Boyce Campus, followed by an intimate forum with four of the Pittsburgh Steelers: Roy Lewis #30, Stefan Logan #41, Jordan Reffett #64, and Dezmond Sherrod #84. The professional athletes shared their thoughts and experiences with the young students, individually encouraging them to work hard at being good students, being responsible individuals, and to have a plan for their futures.

During the week, studeuts participated in workshops to help them prepare for the academic and social expectations of the high school environment. Mr. Jeff Flohr facilitated Reading for Comprehension and Test Taking Strategies Workshops and Mr. MIke Fratangelo helped the students explore assumptions and stereotypes in a “Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover” diversity training workshop. Mr. Gery Lewis from Science Rocks provided an exciting program ofhands-on experiments.

The 9th graders also had the opportunity to complete a Career Self-Assessment through PHEAA’s (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency) Education Planner website. Students answered questions about their personal strengths,
values, abilities and interests and received a print-out highlighting professions in which they may be successful based on the information provided. After discussing the suggested career possibilities, students made “Dream Maps” that helped them chart a path to achieve their dreams.

Students also enjoyed an outing at the Boy Scouts of America Camp Guyasuta, participating in their Project COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience). The 9th graders climbed rope nets and giant ladders, repelled down walls and glided overhead on the Zip Line. Everyone, including the staff, knew they had faced and overcome a personal challenge that day.

On the final day, the students visited Waynesburg University. The visit, which induded a tour of the campus, a presentation by the Admissions Counselor, and lunch in the University Dining Center, gave the students an opportunity to ask questions about life on a campus, and the requirements for admission to a school like Waynesburg College.

College Forum

Seventy-three WHHS Seniors attended a College Forum at La Roche College, arranged by the PA College Access Challenge Grant Program on June 18 and 19. Students had their questions answered regarding college acceptance and financial aid. They also had an opportunity to attend a college class in Accounting, Psychology, Computer Science, and/or Film, Video & Media. They toured the campus and talked with students, professors and staff during lunch in the College Dining Center. More college visits will be scheduled during the school year.

Program Services Provided During the School Year

The Summer Bridge Program and the College Forum are only two of the services provided by the PA College Access Challenge Grant Program at Woodland Hills. The program targets students who are typically underrepresented on college campuses: those who score low on standardized tests (PSSA) and whose GPA is below grade level; those who are economically disadvantaged; and those who are first-generation college bound.

Throughout the school year, Joyce Fratangelo, CACG Academic Consultant offers tutoring in Literacy and Math for 9th graders. Kara Conaway, the Program’s Campus Coordinator follows students in tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades and
provides guidance as they progress through college preparation and applications.

Parents are also induded in the “Parent University” component ofthe PA CACGP. Workshops are provided for them to assist them with the financial aid and college application process. Students in the program have multiple opportunities to speak with representatives from different post-high school institutions as well as visit different campuses throughout the school year.

The PA College Access Challenge Grant is a partnership of Project GRAD USA, the PA Deparlment of Education, and the PA Higher Education Assistance Agency. Woodland Hills High School is one of only seven schools in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to benefit from this grant.