PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The College Crusade of Rhode Island is offering dozens of free programs to increase educational and career success for students in Rhode Island's low-income urban communities.
College Crusade programs are offered weekdays after school, on weekends and during school vacations. Programs range from academic enrichment and robotics workshops to college visits, career exploration, and adventure education.
Approximately 3,700 middle school and high school students in Rhode Island are members of The College Crusade. The majority of them attend public schools in Cranston, Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence, and Woonsocket.
The following programs are available:
Passageways - September to December:
A 10-week afterschool program that gives students the skills and social support they need to survive and thrive in high school. Held weekly in 11 high schools in Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, and Woonsocket, and Saturdays at the Community College of Rhode Island, Providence campus.
URI Discovery Days - September 28 & October 26:
Saturday visits for middle school students to the University of Rhode Island, Kingston Campus. Includes a campus tour and scavenger hunt, informational meetings with URI students, and a football game.
Robotics Club - September to March 2014:
A robotics team that offers students in grades 8-12 the opportunity to participate in the FIRST Tech Challenge, a robotics competition hosted by New England Institute of Technology. Teams are responsible for designing, building, and programming their robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams.
ReadAbout - October to May 2014:
A computer-assisted learning program for sixth-grade students, using a curriculum created by Scholastic, Inc. Includes quiet reading, writing in response to text, and teacher-guided sessions. Held Saturdays at Segue Institute for Learning, Central Falls.
Prep for College Weekend - October 5 & 6:
A two-day program that prepares high school students to master the various elements of the college admission process. On October 5, a Getting to College Conference held at E-Cubed Academy in Providence will include workshops in writing the personal essay, led by guest college admission professionals.
Crusade Adventure and Academic Program - October 5 to December 14:
A 10-week program in adventure education for middle school students that improves self-esteem and develops skills in problem solving, team building, and healthy risk taking. Includes a writing component. Held on Saturdays at Roger Williams Middle School, Providence.
Saturday Academy - October 5 to December 14:
A 10-week multi-level academic enrichment program that helps middle school and high school students build math skills. Held at Jorge Alvarez High School, Providence.
The Write Stuff - October 5 to December 14:
Hands-on writing workshops for middle school and high school students focused on the theme of media literacy. Participants engage in critical thinking, large- and small-group discussion, and individual writing. Held Saturdays at Providence College.
Cru Club - October to May 2014:
A series of college-readiness and career-exploration programs provided to students after school and on Saturdays. Held weekdays in Rhode Island middle schools and high schools and on Saturdays at Community College of Rhode Island, Providence campus.
College visits - September to May 2014:
Specially arranged visits for middle school and high school students to a variety of colleges in New England. Participants tour campus, talk to college students, and learn firsthand about the opportunities and challenges of college life.
The College Crusade is a nonprofit organization funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education's GEAR UP program, by the State of Rhode Island, and by private corporations, foundations, and individuals.