Project Success

This program, unique to CIS South Central Texas, empowers graduating, at-risk, high school students to plan for post-secondary education. Provided by Ms. Aimee Victoria, M Ed, Project Success has been a tremendous success, the details of which are provided in the report: Results, Challenges, and Recommendations - an Internal Assessment for CIS Project Success for 2008-2009.

Many students participating in CIS do not have educational plans beyond high school and are potentially first generation college students. These students often do not see themselves as “college candidates” so when announcements are made at school to go to the career center, they typically don’t follow through. This program is a lifeline to them, providing them with information that enables them to see new possibilities for their futures. The CIS Project Director at the New Braunfels High School campus, in collaboration with the campus career center and the school counselors, identifies potential program candidates. The students are then referred to Project Success, where they may attend meetings voluntarily.

Ms. Victoria meets with identified students weekly at the school campus in group sessions to talk about future goals and aspirations, barriers to postsecondary education including family situation, finances, lack of awareness, beliefs and cultural mores that might be issues in the consideration of postsecondary education. During this process, she develops relationships with them that result in their desire to reach out to her for assistance. She walks them through the process of signing up for the ACT and SAT, and even helps them to identify financial assistance that is available to them in the process. There are field trips to colleges and universities. There are presentations to parents about financial aid options, grants, and scholarships as well as special federal and state programs. She helps with college applications and proofreads their essays.

Check out the recent article on Project Success featured in the Herald-Zeitung, "Program bridges gap for troubled youth," published January 17th, 2010.