Program Overview
A Supportive Pathway to a Bachelor’s Degree
ACES Scholars often encounter unique challenges or barriers when considering higher education opportunities. They may be the first in their families to pursue college, immigrants, from a low-income family or have differing abilities that have limited their ability to pursue a bachelor’s degree. At ACES, we see their promise, and we believe in their potential.
We work to bridge identified gaps in public education by providing a seamless pathway of support that starts in high school, continues through community college, and to the attainment of a bachelor’s degree to ensure that college completion is possible, especially where support is needed most. The result is a sharp increase in college readiness, college applications, and graduation among students enrolled in ACES, who can then join the region’s workforce and contribute back to the local economy.
For every Scholar, ACES provides the following core services over a sustained period of six years:
Individualized coaching
College application and financial aid support
Transition support first to community college, then to a four-year institution, and finally, into a career
Leadership development programming and opportunities
Career readiness training and skills
Recognizing Promise in Our Students
The mission of ACES is to increase baccalaureate degree attainment and professional success for students who have been historically underrepresented in the higher education system. ACES is a collaboration among Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College, and the Universities at Shady Grove, designed to provide a structured and supportive pathway to college completion.
Together with our 14 high school partners, community college and university-based coordinators, we invest in the promise of our students—helping them achieve their academic and professional dreams. ACES helps to make those dreams possible by providing the academic and college guidance, scholarship support, and career readiness students need to succeed.
Program Partners
Montgomery County Public Schools: High School Coordinators identify students that will benefit from ACES and provide support and interventions to keep them in a college-going mindset. This includes both academic and student support, test preparation, assistance with college applications and financial aid/scholarship applications, and scheduling college visits.
Montgomery College: Campus Coordinators from Montgomery College plan workshops geared toward life skills and leadership development, provide one-on-one academic coaching and ongoing support when they enroll, and assist with the transition process.
The Universities at Shady Grove: ACES Scholars transfer to one of the 80+ undergraduate degree programs offered by nine top Maryland universities on the conveniently located campus in Rockville. An ACES Success Coordinator connects Scholars to additional scholarships while continuing with support, leadership initiatives, career readiness, and internship opportunities.
Parent and Community Engagement
Parent Engagement
ACES highly values parent engagement as a critical component of student academic achievement. We equip families with the knowledge, skills, and awareness to support their children while on the ACES Pathway through a variety of outreach efforts. Our activities include but are not limited to, individual parent meetings, annual workshop series, referral to community resources, and volunteer opportunities.
Community Involvement
Collaboration with community organizations allows ACES to incorporate an array of unique experiences for students on the Pathway to enhance academic and personal development. Our partnerships range from academic tutoring, career exploration field trips, to participation in community service projects and cultural programming through the ACES Arts and Culture program.
For more information regarding parent engagement and community involvement opportunities, please contact our main office at aces@montgomerycollege.edu.
Arts & Culture Program
The ACES Arts and Culture Program is committed to deep discussions about how the arts interact with one’s culture, as well as providing opportunities for Scholars to attend arts and cultural events at major performing and visual arts organizations in the DC metropolitan area. Unique programming opportunities include a “Careers in the Arts” workshop, attending personalized tours of visual arts/museums, expanding our dialogue with production staff, artists, and arts administrators, and participating in Montgomery College’s exquisite visual, digital and performing arts programs. Overall, we were able to reconfirm the value, power, and relevancy of the arts and the effect of culture on individuals, the community, and society.
Since its launch in September 2016, organizations have positively welcomed the ACES Scholars and staff to their productions, including:
Young Artists of America at Strathmore (YAA)
The National Philharmonic at Strathmore
The Montgomery College Arts Institute
For more information regarding the ACES Arts and Culture Program, please contact Gina DiMedio Marrazza, ACES Creative Projects Coordinator, at gina.dimediomarrazza@montgomerycollege.edu.