College Reach Out Program

College Reach Out Program is a State of Florida grant-funded program designed to prepare middle and high school students to successfully pursue and complete a post-secondary education.

The College Reach Out Program was established by the Florida Legislature in 1983 in order to identify, motivate and prepare disadvantaged middle and high school students to complete post-secondary education. The program targets low-income and future first-generation college students currently in grades 6 through 12. It motivates students to develop basic learning skills, strengthens parent and student understanding of the benefits of post-secondary education, and fosters personal and career development through supplemental instruction.

The program is funded by grants from the Florida Department of Education, the Collier County School District, private donors and Florida Gulf Coast University. There is no charge to qualified students and their families to participate.

Announcements/Upcoming Dates

Congratulations Class of 2020

Program Services

Each College Reach Out Program is led by a teacher or staff member who meets with the participants weekly, supporting them academically, recording their program and school-related activities, progress, and encouraging them to reach toward high school graduation and a post-secondary education. The FGCU College Reach Out Program supports numerous educational activities each academic school year including the following:

Annual Parent-Student Workshop

The Annual Parent-Student Workshop celebrates the achievements of program participants as well as sponsors and professional staff members. The College Reach Out seniors who have repeated all program requirements receive "Kente Scarves" to wear at their high school graduation if allowable.

Summer Program Experience

The Office of Outreach Programs has created a partnership between the College Reach Out Program, the Scholars Program, and TRIO Talent Search to bring high school and middle school students to the University campus for summer school experiences. Students attend one of four residential camps:

Career Exploration - Rising 7th and 8th
College Exploration - Rising 8th and 9th
ACT Foot Camp - Rising 10th and 11th
College Preparation - Rising Seniors

Additional Activities

Leadership Retreats and ACT preparation activities are also offered on the FGCU Campus. The Director of Outreach Programs, College Transition specialist, and student interns/volunteers from FGCU visit programs throughout the year to support the Coordinators in their efforts to recruit, retain, and graduate participants.

Accommodations
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Visitors needing reasonable accommodations may submit a request to the University department or unit responsible for and/or coordinating a respective event, activity, or program, or to the Office of Adaptive Services. Any information or documentation required for a request for reasonable accommodation will be provided to the visitor with a disability by the Office of Adaptive Services.

Persons with disabilities should arrange at least five days in advance for reasonable accommodations before attending an event.

Contact:
Office of Adaptive Services 239-590-7956
Office of Outreach Programs 239-590-7834
Enrollment
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In order to qualify for the College Reach Out Program, a student must meet the following criteria:
- Have a Social Security Number
- Be enrolled in grades 6–12 at a school or agency in Collier, Glades, Hendry, or Lee County that has a College Reach Out Program
- Sign an agreement, along with their parent(s)/legal guardian(s), to abide by the schedules and rules of the program
Economic Guidelines: (must meet one)
- Family’s taxable income does not exceed 185% of the poverty level
- Family receives temporary cash assistance under WAGES (Work and Gain Economic Self–Sufficiency)
- Student eligible for free/reduced lunch program
- Family receives public assistance
Academic Guidelines: (must meet one)
- Potential first generation to attend college
- Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 or below in the preceding school year
- No math courses at Level II or Level III in grades 9–11 on the student’s academic transcript
- No science courses at Level II or Level III in grades 9–11 on student’s academic transcript
- Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) reading score below average
- Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) math score below average
- Not promoted to the next grade level
- Student was suspended or expelled from school
- Student was absent for more than 25 school days during the preceding school year
- Student participated in a Dropout Prevention Program
- Florida Writing Assessment Program score below state average
- Reading comprehensive score in the lower two quartiles for the most recent norm–referenced achievement test
- Math score in the lower two quartiles for the most recent norm–referenced achievement test
Participating Schools
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Participating schools in the four-county area
Middle Schools
- Fort Myers
- Harns Marsh
- Immokalee
- Lehigh Acres
- MooreHaven Jr.
- Three Oaks
- West Glades
Agencies
- Charleston Park
- Quality Life Center
High Schools
- Clewiston
- Cypress Lake
- Dunbar
- East Lee County
- Fort Myers
- Golden Gate
- Immokalee
- Island Coast
- LaBelle
- Moore Haven
- South Fort Myers
Summer Programs
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The Office of Outreach Programs offers four summer camps for students in grades 6-12 who are currently active members of the College Reach Out Program at their school in Lee, Hendry, Glades, or Collier County. The camps offer educational enrichment opportunities to sustain motivation and momentum for CROP participants.

NOTE: Only active Lee, Collier, Hendry, and Glades counties' CROP/Scholars participants are eligible to apply.
Academic Support
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During the academic year, the College Reach Out Program offers before and after school programs at designated schools and agencies in Lee, Collier, Hendry, and Glades counties.

Sessions include:
- Tutoring in math & language skills
- SAT/ ACT preparation
- Homework assistance/tutorials
- Academic enrichment activities
- Workshops in self–esteem, leadership, conflict resolution
- Academic advising
- College Visits
Parental Involvement
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Informational sessions are held at the schools or agencies to ensure continuous communication among parents/guardians, teachers and counselors. Parents will be encouraged to consider higher education for themselves as well as for their children. Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend these special events with their student.

Parents/guardians are invited to attend:
- Workshops in Spanish and Creole
- Financial Aid Workshops
- Academic Advising Sessions
- College and Career Fairs
- Cultural and Athletic Events
- College Knowledge Sessions
- Florida Gulf Coast University Expositions

We’re here to answer your questions.

TRIO and Outreach Programs

McTarnaghan Hall, Room 202
10501 FGCU Boulevard South
Fort Myers, Florida 33965

(239) 590-7834

(239) 590-7947 (Fax)

Announcements/Upcoming Dates

Program Services

Related Links

We’re here to answer your questions.