Students at Benjamin Holt College Preparatory Academy, an Aspire Public School for sixth through 12th graders in the Lodi School District, are earning college credit through a cooperative program with California State University, Stanislaus.
The seniors at Benjamin Holt, which has a mission of “college for certain,” are taking Introduction to Cultural Anthropology from CSU Stanislaus faculty member D’Elena Woodruff. It is the first of a series of classes offered through a special grant program that will be taught by CSU Stanislaus faculty at the school of more than 400 which will graduate its first group of seniors in 2007. The charter school is sponsored through Lodi School District.
Woodruff said, “This is an excellent introductory program for the students because it places the responsibility with them of starting to think like college students. They are stepping up to the plate and demonstrating that they want to succeed in college.”
Benjamin Holt is currently under development by CSU Stanislaus in partnership with Aspire Public Schools. The partnership is facilitated by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation’s Early College High School initiative and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
CSU Stanislaus President Hamid Shirvani said, “This program will focus on better preparing students for college success by bringing their school and California State University, Stanislaus closer together through collaboration of faculty from both schools.”
Shirvani continued. “What better place to prepare these students for the expectations of college than right in their own classrooms? We are excited about the impact this program will have on helping students pursue a college degree.”
Benjamin Holt students will be able to take English Composition and Introduction to Communications courses from CSU Stanislaus faculty next spring. Plans call for four CSU Stanislaus classes to be offered at the school each year, giving students at the charter school a strong head start on their college degree goals.
Dr. Pamela Russ, Chair of the CSUS Teacher Education Department and University Director of the charter school grant program in Stockton for CSU Stanislaus, said University faculty are conducting training sessions with Benjamin Holt teachers. Also, 20 students from the charter school enjoyed an overnight stay at the CSU Stanislaus residential housing complex during a summer visit to the University.
The seniors at Benjamin Holt, which has a mission of “college for certain,” are taking Introduction to Cultural Anthropology from CSU Stanislaus faculty member D’Elena Woodruff. It is the first of a series of classes offered through a special grant program that will be taught by CSU Stanislaus faculty at the school of more than 400 which will graduate its first group of seniors in 2007. The charter school is sponsored through Lodi School District.
Woodruff said, “This is an excellent introductory program for the students because it places the responsibility with them of starting to think like college students. They are stepping up to the plate and demonstrating that they want to succeed in college.”
Benjamin Holt is currently under development by CSU Stanislaus in partnership with Aspire Public Schools. The partnership is facilitated by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation’s Early College High School initiative and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
CSU Stanislaus President Hamid Shirvani said, “This program will focus on better preparing students for college success by bringing their school and California State University, Stanislaus closer together through collaboration of faculty from both schools.”
Shirvani continued. “What better place to prepare these students for the expectations of college than right in their own classrooms? We are excited about the impact this program will have on helping students pursue a college degree.”
Benjamin Holt students will be able to take English Composition and Introduction to Communications courses from CSU Stanislaus faculty next spring. Plans call for four CSU Stanislaus classes to be offered at the school each year, giving students at the charter school a strong head start on their college degree goals.
Dr. Pamela Russ, Chair of the CSUS Teacher Education Department and University Director of the charter school grant program in Stockton for CSU Stanislaus, said University faculty are conducting training sessions with Benjamin Holt teachers. Also, 20 students from the charter school enjoyed an overnight stay at the CSU Stanislaus residential housing complex during a summer visit to the University.