Newark Public Schools— Soaring Scholars, 21st Century Community Learning Centers

In 2016 the Newark Public Schools partnered with the Office of University Community Partnerships (OUCP) to provide targeted developmental instruction and career awareness programming for “Soaring Scholars” a comprehensive afterschool program funded through the New Jersey Department of Education’s 21^st Century Community Learning Center grants. The program targets students in grades 7-9 at four Newark hybrid middle/high schools: Arts High School, American History High School, University High School, and Eagle Academy for Young Men.  OUCP delivered after school workshops designed for the male participants to help them develop resiliency and positive social skills.

OUCP also provides college tours and information sessions for both male and female participants to support the project’s Career Awareness and Exploration component.  Students visits to the Rutgers-Newark campus introduce them to the opportunities that attending college offers and provides interaction with undergraduates as well as representatives from the Admissions, Financial Aid and EOF offices, various schools and academic departments.  Lastly, OUCP serves as a referral source for Rutgers undergraduates to fill the project’s Program Support Intern positions.