Elon Academy is a university-community partnership aimed at inspiring underrepresented, academically-promising students in Alamance County to pursue higher education and develop leadership skills. The program includes a three-year college access initiative for high school students, with various phases supporting scholars from recruitment to college graduation. Measures of success include high rates of college enrollment and increased academic engagement among participants, reflecting the program's effectiveness in fostering college readiness and persistence.

1. Elon Academy:A University-Community PartnershipDeborah Long, Professor of Education and Elon Academy DirectorElon University

2. How it all began . . . In 2006 when Judge Howard Manning threatened to close an underperforming school in Alamance County, President Lambert began to rethinking the role of Elon University in the life of our local community.Elon Academy

3. In Alamance County . . .1997-1998Hispanic Population 4.1% Free/Reduced Lunch 34% Non-White Students 43.6% . 2009-2010Hispanic Population 18%Free/Reduced Lunch 52%Non-White Students 46%2.5 students drop out of high school every day. More than 17,000 students are growing up in households where no one has earned a four-year college degree.

4. Our Missionresponsibility. The mission of the Elon Academy is to inspire academically-promising students who are often underrepresented on college and university campuses to pursue higher education, build leadership skills, and develop and active sense of social responsibility. Shelby OldhamSALEM COLLEGE

5. Current Scholars & Families115 scholars300 family members 20 first-year college students (Alpha class)22 high-school seniors (Beta class)25 high-school juniors (Gamma class)24 high-school sophomores (Delta class)24 high-school freshmen (Epsilon Class)Jaron TorainST. AUGUSTINE COLLEGE

6. Scholar RecruitmentOver 2,000 letters sent to 9th graders in the Alamance Burlington School System (ABSS)Postcards returned for application requestStudent and family applications sent (≈ 300)Applications received (≈ 100) Screened by AdvocatesInterviews by staff (≈ 60)Invitations to join the Academy (24-26)

7. Selection CriteriaCurrent 9th graderStudent in Alamance-Burlington SchoolsFinancial need and/or no family history of collegeDemonstration of academic promiseNo pattern of disciplinary problemsDesire to succeedCommitment to the Elon Academy

8. Demographics

9. Demographics

10. Demographics

11. Elon Academy High School ProgramPhase I: The Elon AcademyThree-year, year-round college access program for high school students and families including three summer residential experiences and a monthly Saturday AcademyPhase II: The EA College Transitions ProgramSummer Program for graduated seniorsPhase III: The EA College Success ProgramYear-round program for first-year college students and familiesPhase IV: The EA Alumni ProgramYear-round program for EA graduates and families

12. Elon Academy Summer ProgramResidential livingRoommates and MentorsRigorous daily scheduleAcademicsCollege PlanningEvening ActivitiesService ProjectsR.E.C.E.S.S.Presentations of LearningInternships

13. Year-Round SupportAdvocatesAcademic Tracking Academic CoachingCounselingFamily SupportPhoenix CardsDream FundSaturday Academy

14. Monthly Saturday AcademySENIORS Scholarship Search

15. Essays, Applications

16. FAFSAJUNIORS, SOPHS College Planning

17. SAT Prep (Princeton Review)

18. Study Skills

19. Writing ProjectsALL SCHOLARS “Book Jam” (Phi Kappa Phi)FAMILIES College Advising

20. Financial Aid Measures of SuccessProgram PersistenceAlpha Class 85%Beta Class 88%Gamma Class 90%Delta Class 96%

21. Measures of SuccessCollege AcceptancesGraduates accepted at over 30 institutions19 out of 22 graduates enrolled in 4-year colleges or universities1 graduate attending community college

22. Gates-Millennium ScholarsSarah Rawls ’10UNC-Chapel HillAraceli Morales-Santos ’11Wake Forest University

23. How are we doing?90% of scholars are enrolled in Honors and/or AP classes.Enrollment in non-college prep classes has decreased.Involvement in extracurricular and service activities has increased.

24. Some Research Findings . . .Increased . . .Willingness to take risksUnderstanding of relationships to others and the communityDesire to make a difference in the worldSense of life purpose and meaningSense of identity and acceptance of others

25. How are we doing?

26. Saturday Academy ~ Looks Good?College-Ready SkillsBook JamEssay WritingTest PreparationAcademic CoachingCollege, Scholarship, and Grant ApplicationsFamily Workshops

27. Why redesign Saturday Academy?30% of our graduates are struggling in college ~ most will finish, but . . .We also want 100% of our scholars to enter college ready to take advantage of a FULL range of opportunities – making them career ready.We began asking ourselves: Why do some students (not just low-income students) struggle in college (in spite of these efforts – other than the obvious reasons)?

28. How are we doing?

29. Why do some students struggle in college (other than for financial reasons and/or inadequate academic preparation)?College/Career

30. High School vs College/CareerHigh SchoolCollege/CareerStudent is passive Late work is accepted Time is managed through daily classes and activitiesFocus on passing testsIndividual accountabilityShort-term assignmentsLittle feedbackLack of course rigorMinimal homeworkStudent is activeDeadlines matterStudents are expected to manage their own timeFocus on quality of workTeam accountabilityPersistence over timeActing on feedbackRigorous courseworkExtensive out-of-class assignments

31. What happens when scholars are immersed in an experience that is an authentic college experience?College/Career

32. Transformation at the IntersectionsResearch team15 Elon Academy scholars1 undergraduate studentElon Academy Staff membersFaculty from across disciplinesProduce a book to share with community stakeholdersResearch on challenges and opportunities for college access

33. Year-long immersion in the workInterviewsFocus groupsSurveysPhotovoiceReadingWritingPresentingSummer Class Goal: Book Project&Art Exhibit

34. What our scholars are saying . . .PassionFor learningFor serviceFor leadershipPersistenceTo overcome obstaclesTo see challenges as opportunitiesTo sustain interest over timeSelf-ControlManage timePrioritizeResist the Marshmallow

35. What we have learned . . .Immersing high school students in authentic, meaningful, high-interest, engaging work over an extended period of time develops college and career skills and develops a passion for academic learning and service.Having specialized knowledge increases confidence and self-esteem.ALL scholars would benefit from this type of opportunity.

36. Key Cognitive StrategiesInquisitiveness, Analysis, Problem SolvingReason, Argumentation, Proof, PrecisionKey Content KnowledgeWriting & ResearchAcademic Subjects, Languages, ArtsAcademic BehaviorsTime Management, Study Skills, Persistence, MetacognitionContextual Skills AwarenessUnderstanding Academic Culture, Interacting with ProfessorsUnderstanding Admissions Process and Financial AidCo-lead by Elon University Students*David Conley, 2007*Redefining College Success

37. Initiate multiple year-long projects (5 - 7)MeaningfulAuthenticEngagingImportantHigh InterestInbed skills throughoutRedesigned Saturday Academy

38. Teams of 7 – 10 scholarsLead by faculty, staff, or community partnersCo-lead by Elon University StudentsRedesigned Saturday Academy

39. Conservation Education for KidsCommunity Mentor: Mindy Stinner, The Conservators’ Center (local wildlife education, conservation, and rescue facility)Project Goal: Develop a science workshop for school children about wildlife ecology or conservation challengesTasks for EA scholar-participants include:Learn about wildcat ecology and conservation issues through popular and scientific texts, videos, and field experiences at the Conservators’ CenterFind and understand the requirements for science education at a targeted grade levelExplore what it takes to create a quality science workshops for childrenInterview grade school teachers for their specific needsLearn to work safely and appropriately with an educational ambassador animal (serval or singing dog)Design and co-teach a workshop for a 3rd or 4th grade class to share their knowledgeSAMPLE PROJECT:Ambassador Sammy Serval visits an Elon University class, Spring 2010

40. SAMPLE PROJECT:Herpetology in the PiedmontFaculty Mentor: Dr. Terry Tomasek, Assistant Professor in the School of EducationProject Goal: Students plan a demonstration booth for the NC Museum of Natural Science during Reptile & Amphibian day. They share their newly acquired knowledge with community visitors who attend this event. Tasks for EA scholar-participants include:Exploring how various cultures utilize reptiles and amphibians as food sources. Considering the tensions between economics, culture and conservation. Elon Academy Herpetology Class. Summer 2010.

41. Engineering ProjectFaculty Mentor: Mr. Stu Johnston, High School math and physics teacherProject Goal: TBDTasks for EA scholar-participants include: TBDElon Academy Engineering Class. Summer 2010

42. Hunger ProjectStaff Mentors: Ms. Holly, Campus Kitchen Director and Mrs. Dianne Ford, Community Garden SponsorProject Goal: TBDTasks for EA scholar-participants include: TBDElon Academy Community Garden Service Project. Summer 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010&Campus Kitchen Grand Opening.Spring2011

43. Project/Problem-Based Learning Problem/Project-Based Learning (PBL) focuses on simultaneously developing problem-solving strategies, inter-disciplinary knowledge bases and critical thinking skills by placing students, teachers and community members in an active problem-solving role in the real world.

44. Why PBL? PBL provides a framework that supports current standards of excellence and provides opportunities for community collaboration.PBL is consistent with current research in education, cognitive science, and psychology that has revealed hitherto unsuspected strategic competence and metacognitive knowledge in young people.

45. In other words . . . Young people are capable of doing amazing things when given adequate structure and support.

46. AssessmentHolistic AssessmentSummer AcademySaturday AcademyHigh School ClassesTest ScoresFamily Programs

47. What else should we be thinking about?

48. Questions?Contact Information:Deborah Long dlong@elon.edu 336-278-5859