Pilot Model

Partners are invited to think collectively about the full range of connected experiences and opportunities that would be most beneficial to students and align with the mission and goals of the pilot, both in the short and long-term.

1. Sample Corner Stone Events for all 100 Males

   1. • • Orientation Day (half day) – hosted at the high school, an introductory event focused on aspirations, building community, and identifying issues related to culture and identity

        • College Overnight Retreat – hosted by a higher education institution as an opportunity to dig deeper on social issue topics and rites of passage, as well as college life and career development topics

        • College Day(s) (Full-Day) – hosted by a higher education institution, a specialized college tour infused with connections and storytelling with diverse students and faculty

        • Special Milestones Ceremony (ies) – celebratory events to mark important steps taken and completed towards students’ goals. e.g. college application completion, college acceptance, high school graduation etc.

        • Other events/activities hosted by partners might include:

        • Seminars on career and college planning

        • Field trips to companies/ organizations to expand knowledge of careers and fields of study

        • Panel discussions

        • Community service activities

        • Cohort based activities to continue connection with other male students

2. Wrap-Around Supports

• • • Supportive Relationship

      • • • Young Adults –Colleges provide multiple opportunities for high school students to engage with college students. Engagement is both broad (via panels and college student leadership at events) and deep (consistent relationships through designated college student mentors.)

          • Adults – students are designated a coach from the high school (and ideally the community) for ongoing mentorship, and have a point-person at the college to support their transition.

• • • • Connecting to existing resources and opportunities that empower students’ socio-emotional, personal, economic, professional, academic development.

      • Providing assistance with college going process, e.g. college applications, FAFSA completion and college financing options, information on debt management, and financial literacy.

      • College partners provide on-going supports to students upon entry into partner institutions.

3. Milestones

• 1. High School, college and community partners map out important adult-student touch points, as well as student achievement milestones for the duration of high school, and entry into college.

  2. Professional Development - for designated supportive adults (in high school and community) on pilot mission and goals, as well as effective strategies for supporting young men and specifically young men of color.

4. Delivering on a “Promise”

• 1. 100 Males to College partners will each deliver on a “promise” or set of promises, which signify a collective investment in their success today and in the future. Promises can range from commitments of what they will expect to experience on their journey through the project, to tangible products that they will receive for completing milestones. Promises are meant to be kept, so partners will be asked to make a commitment on resources, items, experiences that they have the ability to deliver on.

Partners collaborate on establishing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) as a symbol of intentionality and commitment to the Gateway community and the students of the pilot.

Short list/Sample Partner Commitments: