Who We Are
Creating a program to further education in first generation students.
The mission of Roaring Fork PreCollegiate is to identify promising first-generation students and motivate them to pursue higher education. Through personal mentoring we provide access to information and resources and equip students with relevant life skills to enable them to successfully complete high school and transition into the post-secondary program of their choice.
Roaring Fork PreCollegiate is a college access and preparatory program for highly motivated students who would be the first in their family to go to college. We recruit qualified students in the 7th grade and follow them through their first year of college. There are four main parts to our programming:
Beginning in 7th grade, admitted students are placed into groups of 10-12 and partnered with a volunteer mentor from the community. The mentor follows their students from middle school to high school graduation and into college. Mentors set a college-going expectation while working with students on setting and achieving academic and personal goals. They also work with students on the development of life skills such as self advocacy.
All students attend two summer residential college experiences: the first at Colorado Mountain College after 9th grade and the second at the University of Colorado before senior year. These academic programs are designed to give students a glimpse into what college life would be like and to demonstrate to them that they belong in college.
Also beginning in 7th grade, the Program offers parent classes and support throughout middle and high school. The classes focus on the college application process, the importance of good study habits, college transition issues, and financial aid planning.
The Program offers comprehensive college counseling and financial aid planning for every student. Seniors meet with program staff every week during senior year to get through applications, scholarships and financial aid. The program also provides a structured transition from high school to college by working with students during the summer after senior year and through in-person or virtual visits with students throughout the first year of college.
Of those, 73% graduate, which is three times the national graduation rate of other first generation college students. In addition, many PreCollegiate students not only attend top colleges and universities around the state and country, some go on to pursue secondary degrees-and even PhD.’s-in everything from accounting to law to psychology.