EVERETT — The premise is simple: Offer kids from a low-income middle school some college scholarship money, give them lots of support and structure along the way and they will succeed.
For 56 Everett High School sophomores, that appears to be exactly what is happening. The students are midway through a six-year federal grant program that puts the premise into practice.
“I think now they are thinking long term,” said Gretchen Stiger, who has worked closely with the students since they were selected for the state scholarship program three years ago. “They have bought into the fact that this is an opportunity for them. They know they can do it.”
As seventh-graders in 2005, they were, for the most part, average students at North Middle School in Everett. Many are minorities or from low-income families. Few had parents who went to college.
Based on a high percentage of students qualifying for a subsidized lunch, North was chosen by the state Higher Education Coordinating Board for the grant, which will award the students $4,000 to $6,000 scholarships if they graduate from high school and meet other requirements.
Just as important as the college money has been the support they are getting to make sure they succeed in high school.
In fact, that’s Stiger’s title: Everett High School success coordinator for GEAR UP, the state’s Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program.
Everett was one of 12 school districts chosen by the state board for the unusual scholarship program.
Everett was given slots for 75 students. That number has been whittled to 56 entering the fall term. Fifteen students have moved from the Everett district. Four others opted out of the program.
The money doesn’t come easy. As part of the deal, the students must attend summer classes that start at 7:45 a.m. They are expected to take rigorous courses during the school year. They also get a taste of college life, spending part of each summer at the University of Washington’s Seattle campus.
A change for the better
Devante Edwards, 15, said he’s better off because of the higher expectations placed on him by the program, even though he’s not crazy about spending parts of his summers in school.
“It has helped me be prepared more for my classes,” he said. “It helps me get organized a lot better. If I wasn’t in GEAR UP, my grades wouldn’t be as good.”
His mother, Annalee Cahoon, sees a difference in him.
“He is a lot more self-confident,” Cahoon said. “His whole attitude and perception of school has changed. This pushes him. He is a lot harder on himself. He wants better grades to get into the better colleges.”
GEAR UP encourages low-income students in middle and high school to stay in school, study hard, have high expectations and go to college.
That is easier said than done. Keeping middle and high school students on course can be like catching leaves in a windstorm.
“They still have free will,” Stiger said. “Sometimes I’m pulling my hair, but it’s always just a short-term thing.”
Some of her students have tough home lives, which galvanizes her resolve to help them.
“I can honestly say that all of them have the ability to do this,” she said. “But for some of them, life is hard and school is the easiest thing for them all day.”
Staying on track
Stiger’s job is a cross between den mother and enforcer.
She handpicks their schedules and makes weekly grade checks, jotting down names on a yellow tablet and rounding up students with a C- or lower in any class for after-school tutoring. She monitors their binders to make sure they are organized and meets with parents to talk about college possibilities. Mainly, she motivates students to push themselves.
More than 80 percent took at least one honors class as freshmen. That percentage is higher this year and most students are taking more than one honors class.
As incoming sophomores last summer, they took a Washington state history class and spent a month studying for a national PSAT exam they’re taking a year early.
Next summer as incoming juniors, they will be back at Everett High School picking up credits for a senior-level American government class and learning to write scholarship essays and application letters. The following summer they will be expected to complete their senior projects and focus on college and scholarship applications.
As seniors, they will be expected to take a fourth year of math and science instead of coasting through with less rigorous electives some of their friends might choose.
There are day-to-day differences in their approach to classes as well.
The students learn to take “Cornell-style notes,” a structured note-taking technique that allows them to summarize and restate what they are learning.
They have a special class each day to study college and career options, do homework and get tutorial help. During those classes, they are allowed to ask questions of their classmates, who cannot give them the right answer, but can guide them to it.
Ty Sissel, who is taking English and biology honors classes this fall, said he knows his academic performance is being closely monitored.
“It helps to know someone is watching so you can’t slip by,” said Sissel, who competes in three sports.
Marcella Weber, 15, is a solid A student who plans to split time between Everett High and Everett Community College when she is a junior next fall. She is taking three honors classes and is heavily involved in the school’s music programs.
Weber likes getting ahead on credits during the summer and exploring college possibilities.
“This has really helped me open my eyes to all the opportunities that are out there,” she said.
Looking ahead
Everett has had a good track record, based on required reports and site visits, said Weiya Liang, state director for the GEAR UP program. The state provides Everett $112,000 a year, which is matched by the school district.
“We are very impressed with Everett’s progress,” Liang said.
JoAnne Fabian has many titles with the Everett School District, including on-time graduation director. She said Stigar has made a deep personal six-year commitment to make sure her students meet their potential.
“There will not be enough Kleenex for their graduation,” Fabian said.
Stiger has just one regret.
“They have found it feels good to be successful,” she said. “I wish the program was across the board for so many more kids.”
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or e-mail stevick@heraldnet.com.
Gearing up in Monroe
Like Everett, the Monroe School District has a GEAR UP program. The program started with 50 students. Three years later, 26 are active.
Some students moved away, some dropped out of the program and others no longer met the requirements, district spokeswoman Rosemary O’Neil said.
“Anytime we can provide an opportunity for children to connect how important school is to their future lives, it’s certainly a positive for those children and their families,” she said. “This program certainly does that.”
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