Becoming a #GreenDotGrad to make College Dreams Come True
Green Dot Public Schools experienced many thrills during our graduation ceremonies in June, including when Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard delivered the keynote address to graduates from Ánimo Ralph Bunch Charter High School.
But the biggest thrill of all is the success of our thousands graduating seniors. And this year, there were plenty of thrills, beginning with our graduation rate: 93% of Green Dot seniors received their diploma!
In 2016, 93% of Green Dot seniors received their diploma — putting them on track to success in college, leadership, and life!
Many of our students begin high school in the bottom 10% of academic proficiency. But thanks to their determination and grit; to the support and help of their families; and to our excellent and dedicated teachers, these students all overcame serious odds. We couldn’t be prouder of them.
At Green Dot, we don’t believe that our job is done once our students receive their diploma. We believe that every student has the potential to achieve their goals and succeed in college, leadership and life. This year, our students applied to more than 400 different colleges and universities, and on average our seniors were accepted to more than two schools each.
Overall, nearly 80% of our graduating seniors are enrolled in college in the fall –closing the achievement gap with their peers from higher income families!
Overall, nearly 80% of our graduating seniors are enrolled in college in the fall –closing the achievement gap with their peers from higher income families! Three of our schools – Ánimo Pat Brown, Ánimo Venice and Ánimo Leadership – all have more than 95% of their graduates heading to college.
More than 200 Green Dot graduates will be enrolling at one of the several University of California campuses! Three of our students are heading to the North East: Julio Gonzalez from Alain Leroy Locke College Preparatory Academy is off to Dartmouth; Jordy Rodriguez-Cervantes, from Ánimo Pat Brown, will be attending Harvard; and, Nathalie Jimenez from Ánimo Inglewood is going to Princeton.
Of course, for many of our students, the cost of college is a serious challenge. And so we are elated to report that our graduates received $3.3 million in scholarships. Four students – Diana Acosta, Paola Gonzalez, Passion Lord and Stephanie Martinez-Ayala – received coveted Gates Millennium Scholarships, which cover all college expenses through graduate school. Kevin Moran and Roberto Veldar both received Posse Scholarships, which cover 100% of their tuition. Many more received tens of thousands of dollars a year each to help make their dreams of college a reality.
Making college dreams come true is really what drives everyone at Green Dot. We believe, we know, that a college education can be life-changing. We see proof of that each time one of our past graduates returns to campus or checks back in with a favorite teacher. Their worlds have expanded. Their opportunities have blossomed. Their futures are bright.
This summer, that bright future is unfurling in front of a new class of Green Dot graduates. We all are waiting excitedly to hear what stories they have to tell when we hear from them.
And today, another 1600 Green Dot graduates join them.
