A BluePrint for Success: Case Studies of Successful - Educational ...

A Blueprint for Success
IV — College Bound St. Louis
110 N. Jefferson, St. Louis, MO 63103
314-456-7556 (v) 314-361-9210 (f)
http://www.collegeboundstl.org
Lisa Orden Zarin, Chief Executive Officer
lisa@collegeboundstl.org
College Bound St. Louis is an organization driven by research.
Its programs and strategies were developed by commonly
cited best practices and peer-reviewed literature on college
access and success. The intentionality of program leaders
in making research-based decisions and goals reflects a clear
and single focus on college completion. This focus recently
expanded from college graduation to obtaining life-sustaining
wages after college, and College Bound St. Louis (CB-STL)
continues to set high expectations for its students and provide
high levels of support. In addition to the use of research-based
practices, another strength of the organization is the verification
of student data through the collection of transcripts, admission
and financial aid award letters, and the use of National
Student Clearinghouse (NSC). While an increasing
number of programs are starting to utilize NSC and collect
other academic information about students, CB-STL has continuously
used externally validated outcomes (in lieu of selfreported
outcomes) to quantify program effectiveness.
Program Overview
College Bound St. Louis (CB-STL) provides promising high
school students from under-resourced backgrounds with the
academic enrichment, social supports, and life skills needed to
apply, matriculate, and succeed in four-year colleges. The
CB-STL program begins with students in their freshman year
GENERAL INFORMATION:
§ Program began operation in 2006
§ This is a Federal CACG-­‐Supported
Program
§ This program operates during the:
☐ Academic Year
☐ Summer
þ Both
§ Services are provided during
þ Regular school hours
þ After school hours
þ Weekends
§ This is a school-­‐based and
community-­‐based program.
§ Services students in: 4 high schools
and 2 community-­‐based sites and 68
colleges
§ Urbanicity: Urban area
§ Duration of Program: Seven years
§ Typical number of years students are
in the program: more than 5 years
§ Primary services are provided at:
Secondary schools
§ Grade level when students enter the
program: 9
§ Students served:
o 2008-­‐09 = 175
o 2009-­‐10 = 273
o 2010-­‐11 = 364
o 2011-­‐12 = 439 (estimated)
§ 9th grade students served: 1,000
annually (Get Your Prep On Program)
§ Program Funding Provided By:
AmeriCorps; State Government;
Business/Industry; Private
Foundation; Individual
§ Targeted Population: Low income;
Historically underrepresented
minorities; First generation to attend
college; High school and college
students.
of high school and remains with students until they graduate from college. It has a daily presence in
participating high schools and works closely with families, high school staff, and university partners
to ensure alignment between high school preparation and college success. The CB-STL culture is
one of high expectations and high support with an unwavering focus on degree completion. By the
time CB-STL students graduate from high school, they have invested approximately 800 hours — in
addition to school and work — to prepare for success in college and career.
Educational Policy Institute 28 www.educationalpolicy.org