Speaking of heroes . . .
As we enter high school graduation season, we want to take a moment to recognize the hard work of Row New York’s seniors, and to announce this: 100% OF OUR CLASS OF 2014 IS HEADED TO COLLEGE!
You already know that Row New Yorkers are competitive athletes (see: state championships a few weeks ago), and their academic achievements are equally stellar. Thanks to their own hard work—committing more than 1,000 hours a year to rowing and academics—these teens have earned themselves multiple acceptances. And off they go, most on scholarship, and many of them the first in their families to move on to higher learning.
They are headed to such schools as Boston College, Bucknell, Cornell, Hofstra, Hunter, Middlebury, Northeastern, Temple, Tulane, University of Buffalo, University of California at Davis, and University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Why do all our seniors graduate high school (as compared to only 66% of NYC’s public high school seniors)? And why does every graduate go on to college, with 90% staying on track to earn a degree (compared to a national average of just 53% of those who enter college)? For several reasons:
All of Row New York’s student-athletes are given long-term, small-group tutoring, and a customized “college roadmap,” developed by the amazing Darise JeanBaptiste, our director of academics and college readiness, and Regina De Los Santos, assistant director of academics. Nationwide, school counselors give an average of only *38 minutes* of college admissions advice per high school student, but at Row New York, we provide sustained academic advisement, guidance in identifying good matches, campus visits, help in completing financial aid forms and admissions applications . . . and this support doesn’t end with high school graduation.
During our kids’ freshman years at college, we maintain regular email and phone contact, or visit when necessary. Because we wholly believe that the encouragement, sense of belonging, and confidence that are so much a part of Row New Yorkers’ high school lives can make the difference between earning a college degree and leaving school. And did we mention care packages? Never underestimate the power of cookies and a handwritten note that says that yes, you can do this.
So HUGE congratulations to Row New York’s class of 2014, who continue to make us proud both on and off the water. We look forward to hearing about your adventures and successes for years to come.
