August 11, 2011

August 11, 2011

BOSTON SCHOLAR ATHLETE PROGRAM LAUNCHES COLLEGE READINESS INITIATIVE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PRINCETON REVIEW 

BOSTON—Mayor Thomas Menino joined Suffolk Construction CEO John Fish and The Princeton Review Senior Vice President Rob Franek today to announce the College Readiness Initiative, a partnership between the Boston Scholar Athlete Program (BSA) and The Princeton Review.  The initiative, which will begin in the fall of 2011 and run throughout the 2011-12 academic year, will provide 400 scholar-athletes throughout Boston Public high schools with an intensive college preparation curriculum. 

“The Red & Blue Foundation is committed to the success of Boston’s scholar-athletes, and this partnership builds on our promise to help our students achieve both in school and when they graduate,” stated Suffolk Construction CEO John Fish.  “There is still no greater tool that we can give our young people than a college education, and the College Readiness Initiative will give these students a comprehensive introduction to preparing for and applying to college.”

In conjunction with the BSA, each participating Boston Public High School has identified 25 high achieving juniors who have actively utilized the program’s Zone learning centers to be a part of the College Readiness Initiative.  The program’s multiple components will include:

 

·Early Edge:  This module, taught in the fall, reinforces basic foundational skills and introduces students to standardized test preparation;

·SAT Test Preparation:  This winter program will prepare students specifically for the spring SAT test;

·College Readiness Handbook:  Given to students at the beginning of the academic year, this book contains tips from college admissions experts that can be accessed throughout the year

·Professional Development for instructors (year-round); and

·Financial Aid and Admissions information (year-round).

 

BSA’s College Readiness Initiative will also provide scholar-athletes with the life skills and character development necessary to be successful in an independent setting of higher learning.  BSA Facilitators, along with several volunteer teachers, will be the certified instructors of the dynamic curriculum, giving students the opportunity to learn the material from individuals they are familiar with and who know each school’s environment.  To support consistent attendance, the curriculum will be taught during the school day, thereby avoiding after-school hours, which can be unpredictable for many students.

The College Readiness Initiative strengthens the BSA’s mission, based on the proven link between athletic participation and positive academic performance, to maintain and enhance academic and athletic programming for all 19 Boston Public High Schools.  Available for use during the academic school year by all potential and current scholar-athletes in grades 9-12, each Zone is staffed by a trained BSA Facilitator responsible for improving study skills and positive time-management habits, monitoring the academic progress of each student, and collaborating with designated school administrators and Headmasters to ensure the success of scholar-athletes.