Student Leadership Network’s launch of College Access and Success programs in Buffalo is off to a strong start! Piloted last year with direct student services at two Buffalo public schools and district-wide capacity building and training for school leaders, Student Leadership has expanded its impact in 2023-2024 to partner with six high schools. We are now working directly with over 10% of Buffalo Public Schools’ students to strengthen the college-going culture. We also continue capacity building services for citywide leaders and educators to impact 32,000 students across the district.
Adapting our CollegeBound Initiative model for Buffalo, Student Leadership builds families’ knowledge about the journey to college and strengthens the foundation for post-secondary success. “We know that college increases students’ economic mobility and professional opportunities in the long term,” shared Omar Morris, Director of College Access Services, noting that barriers are significantly higher for students of color, those from low-income backgrounds, and first generation college students. “We’re making that vision into attainable steps for their journeys right now, such as boosting the Federal Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA) completion rates so that college is actually affordable or even free for the families.”
Momentum from Year One
Early results are promising. National data shows that FAFSA completion, especially for students from the lowest income groups, is significantly correlated with immediate college enrollment. In 2021-2022, Buffalo’s FAFSA completion rate was 43%, while Student Leadership’s students’ rate nationwide was nearly 96%. At Riverside Academy, under the guidance of our Director of College Counseling Maria Lascarro, the school’s FAFSA completion rate grew from 37% in 2022 to 76% in 2023 and was awarded “most improved” in the New York State FAFSA Completion Challenge.
Beyond the numbers, equally important are the relationships being built and strengthened between teachers, staff, students, and families to open up pathways to student success. “I did not think college was for me,” shared a student at McKinley High School. “All my life I’ve heard how expensive it is and I knew my family would be unable to pay for it. However, I saw how Ms. [Joell] Stubbe explained the different financial aid options, and I was excited to know it was possible.”
Building a College-Going Culture
Embedding directors of college counseling (DCCs) directly in Buffalo’s public schools helps the schools build and strengthen a vibrant college-going culture. From college trips and help with applications to workshops for increased awareness of financial aid options and scholarships, the journey is a team effort. “I’m excited to be here at College and Career Night. I know I’m not a senior yet,” shared a student at East Community High School, “but I want to be prepared for next year. Ms. [Cori] Monahan shared that colleges would be here, and I have a list of who I need to meet with before the end of the event.”
Dr. Tonja M. Williams, Superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools, attended the College Signing Day pep rally last spring at East Community High School to cheer on seniors who have made college decisions. Signing Days and other year-round events celebrate the seniors’ hard work on their journeys to college, and also inspires younger students to aspire to higher education.
Excitement for Future Success
Due to the success of the initial pilot schools, McKinley and South Park High Schools joined our network mid-year, followed by Burgard High School and International Preparatory School in Fall 2023. Each school has at least one dedicated Student Leadership Network DCC, who works in partnership with the school’s administration, guidance counselors, and faculty.
The groundwork our College Access teams built with juniors is paying off in senior year. At South Park, the first senior to complete their college Common Application did so by September 26 – a full three months before the deadline! Ciara Johnson, South Park’s DCC, created college themed bulletin boards throughout the school to get them excited about their progress. “There is no ‘I’ in ‘Team’. There is one goal here and that is to see our students reach their full potential after graduation and attend college. These boards help our students, and everyone involved in shaping our students, hold themselves accountable.”
With a mix of traditional and vocational high schools partnering with Student Leadership, continued flexibility will be key as we adapt our College Access model across the district. “We are eager to continue adapting our programs to have the greatest impact on students,” shared Ivanna Jimenez, Associate Director of College Access. “We support a brilliant, dedicated group of DCCs who work hard with families to shift the school culture and create successful pathways for all of the students.”