Lloyd: This Year, 1,722 High Schools Are Receiving College Success Awards. Meet 5 of the Winners Helping Their Low-Income Students Thrive
Lashawn Pettaway Polen recalls his previous school as a chaotic environment filled with arguments and fighting. He felt that if he focused more on his schoolwork, he would become a target. As a result, his mother transferred him to North Star Academy, a charter school located in downtown Newark. Now, as a high school senior, Lashawn will graduate with eight Advanced Placement classes under his belt and dreams of pursuing a major in psychology to become a child psychologist.
North Star Academy has been transformative for its primarily first-generation college students since its establishment in 2000. However, the situation is not as optimistic for the average American student. Only 67 percent of high school graduates attend college, and merely 38 percent are genuinely prepared for college and career upon graduation. For low-income students, the statistics are even grimmer, with only 2 percent being considered college and career ready, and just 26 percent earning a college degree within five or six years.
These alarming figures have significant economic implications. A study estimated that if American high schoolers could match the performance of Finnish students, the U.S. GDP would increase by $100 trillion.
Given this concerning backdrop, it is crucial to gather data on high schools that effectively prepare students for college success. In 2018, GreatSchools embarked on a mission to identify such schools by using new data on college preparation, enrollment, persistence, and remediation. The inaugural College Success Awards recognized 814 high schools across nine states. This year, the awards honor 1,722 public high schools in 25 states, employing an updated methodology that also highlights schools supporting the success of low-income students.
Notably, many of the winning schools mainly serve students from affluent backgrounds. However, 39 percent of this year’s recipients have at least 40 percent of their student population classified as low-income. How do these schools defy the norm? In search of potential models for educators and policymakers nationwide, GreatSchools conducted a more extensive analysis of the top-performing schools that support low-income students.
A significant portion of the low-income award winners are selective in their admissions process. They include early college schools where students start college in 11th grade, gifted programs that admit based on test scores and GPAs, charter high schools that accept students exclusively from academically rigorous feeder schools, and magnet schools that require a minimum 3.0 GPA. While these schools excel in performance, they may not necessarily be applicable models for all schools.
However, even when we eliminate the advantages of an affluent or selective student population, there are still high schools successfully preparing students for college success. These schools encompass district schools, magnet schools, and charter schools. Unfortunately, they are not widespread. For instance, Massachusetts, renowned for its exceptional educational standards, has very few College Success Award winners catering to low-income students. In contrast, Texas, which ranks 36th in per-pupil spending and educates a substantial number of low-income students and English learners, boasts numerous high schools that bridge the college gap.
One prime example is Veterans Memorial Early College High School in Brownsville, Texas. The school utilizes early college and dual enrollment programs, not just for a select few students, but for the entire student body. Despite serving a population that is 97 percent Hispanic and 92 percent low-income, Veterans Memorial encourages all students to take advantage of their 13 dual enrollment classes and 20 Advanced Placement classes as early as freshman year. The school maintains strong connections with local colleges and regularly collaborates with college representatives to plan the dual enrollment program. Additionally, the school offers 16 vocational certifications to help students finance their college education, making college accessible and affordable for all.
Four years ago, Elizabethtown High School, located in central Kentucky and a recipient of the College Success Award, initiated an effort to prepare all students for the challenges of college. The school eliminated the less rigorous "college and career readiness" track and removed requirements for Advanced Placement classes. This policy change resulted in nearly doubling the number of students enrolling in AP courses. Furthermore, the school expanded its AP offerings from eight to 14 classes, ensuring that every student has the option to choose from a variety of advanced courses, including AP Physics, AP Statistics, and AP Human Geography. Alongside increased expectations, the school invested more resources in tangible support for its students. Bi-weekly math and reading study sessions were implemented, and the school opens on one Saturday per month to provide additional assistance with schoolwork. Lastly, students can utilize the school’s facilities, such as the washer and dryer, to clean their clothes and access free toiletries for showering at school.
At President William McKinley High School in Honolulu, former students and members of the community provide financial support, mentorship, and encouragement to students as they strive for their goals. The McKinley Foundation distributes $80,000 in scholarships each year to seniors who are heading off to college. Additionally, there is a mentorship program in place that pairs low-income seniors with accomplished professionals who offer guidance throughout their first year of college.
The Hall of Honor, which honors alumni who have made significant contributions to their community, serves as a tangible example for students, illustrating how individual purpose can positively impact the community.
Newark’s North Star Academy is fully committed to helping students succeed in their pursuit of a four-year college education. Recognizing that graduates with high school GPAs below 2.5 faced more challenges in college, the school implemented a weekly workshop where students analyze their schoolwork and establish goals to improve their study habits. Furthermore, to address the low number of alumni choosing STEM majors (only 6 percent), the school significantly expanded their offering of advanced STEM classes.
After discovering that low-income students often struggle in college due to lack of support, the school established an alumni department that reaches out to and supports college freshmen through emails, texts, and visits. This initiative aims to assist these students in navigating their new experiences and adjusting to college life.
By identifying schools that are effectively supporting their students’ success, we can share their stories and insights. With information collected and shared by 25 states, we are able to shed light on the exceptional work being done by educators. Through learning from these schools, we can work towards ensuring that more students receive the necessary preparation to not only attend college but also thrive once they are there.
Carol Lloyd currently holds the position of vice president and editorial director at GreatSchools.org.
