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About UsREACH Georgia Background:
Governor Deal launched REACH Georgia, the state’s first public-private needs-based scholarship program, on February 6, 2012. REACH Georgia (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen) provides Georgia’s low-income, academically promising students with the academic, social, and financial support needed to graduate from high school, access college, and achieve post-secondary success. REACH is a key component of Complete College Georgia, which focuses on college completion to improve Georgia’s future prosperity. This needs-based scholarship and youth development program has attracted support from diverse funding sources and donations are doubled and, in some cases, tripled, by partnering Georgia colleges. http://reachga.org/ |
Athens REACH Scholarship
Each year, our community selects five low-income, academically promising rising eighth grade students to receive 5 years of academic, social, and financial support needed to graduate from high school, access college, and achieve post-secondary success.
The Athens REACH Scholarship Program is part of Georgia’s first public-private, needs-based mentorship and scholarship program, the Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) Georgia, launched by Governor Nathan Deal in 2012. With support from private donors and the state of Georgia, the Clarke County School District partners with the Clarke County Mentor Program to provide Athens REACH Scholars with:
Each year, our community selects five low-income, academically promising rising eighth grade students to receive 5 years of academic, social, and financial support needed to graduate from high school, access college, and achieve post-secondary success.
The Athens REACH Scholarship Program is part of Georgia’s first public-private, needs-based mentorship and scholarship program, the Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) Georgia, launched by Governor Nathan Deal in 2012. With support from private donors and the state of Georgia, the Clarke County School District partners with the Clarke County Mentor Program to provide Athens REACH Scholars with:
- Mentoring: Scholars are matched with adult role models from 8th through 12th grade who will meet with the student at least two times each month at school and support the scholar throughout his/her secondary school career and beyond.
- Coaching: Scholars meet with academic school coaches from 8th through 12th grade who work with each student to develop concrete college and career plans. Coaches monitor academic progress, attendance, and behavior throughout middle and high school.
- Financial Scholarship: Upon graduation from high school, Scholars are awarded up to $2,500 per year (for up to 4 years- $10,000 total) to be used toward the cost of attendance at a HOPE-eligible post-secondary two or four-year institution of their choice.
Student Eligibilty
- Attend a school in a participating school system where the student is selected to participate as a REACH Scholar.
- Qualify for the Free or Reduced Lunch Program.
- Meet citizenship and residency requirements.
- Demonstrate academic promise (grade, attendance, and behavior requirements).
- Have no crime and/or drug convictions.
- Preference given to future first generation college students.
Impact
When a student is chosen as a REACH Scholar, the student is provided with comprehensive support, additional college-related activities, and the promise of a financial scholarship upon successful program completion.
While still new, the program has already made an impact on our first cohort of 5 Athens REACH Scholars- each maintained good grades and good behavior, developed relationships with their mentors, visited the state capital to meet the Governor, and began developing plans for their future. Our community has the opportunity to give five rising eighth graders this life-changing opportunity.
While still new, the program has already made an impact on our first cohort of 5 Athens REACH Scholars- each maintained good grades and good behavior, developed relationships with their mentors, visited the state capital to meet the Governor, and began developing plans for their future. Our community has the opportunity to give five rising eighth graders this life-changing opportunity.
Tracking Results
REACH Georgia utilizes a comprehensive evaluation system to not only ensure the program is helping students succeed, but also to track student success, behavior, participation, and attendance. This information is captured in simple reports completed by each school system on a quarterly basis. Additionally, student, parent, and mentor surveys are completed at various points throughout the year to make sure all participants’ strengths and needs are recognized and addressed.
Return on Investment
By contributing $12,500 a year, Athens helps 5 rising 8th graders receive
5 years of mentoring
5 years of academic coaching, and
10,000 reasons to succeed.
5 years of mentoring
5 years of academic coaching, and
10,000 reasons to succeed.
The Need
The Athens REACH Scholarship Program is only as strong as our local Mentoring, Coaching, and Financial Scholarship resources. (Learn More / Support Athens REACH)
