SBISD Mentor Application

SBISD Mentor Partners as of April , 2008

The SBISD Collegiate Challenge Mentor program engages community members as mentors to assist high school juniors and seniors with career exploration and the college and scholarship application process to make higher education a reality. In 2007, the program earned the prestigious designation of being a Texas High School Exemplar Program, and received a $42,500 grant to expand the program to all SBISD high schools.

The Model
The Collegiate Challenge Mentor Program model pairs a community partner with a group of juniors and seniors from an SBISD high school who need help to fulfill their dreams of college enrollment. Some are first generation, low income or minority students. Others just respond better to an adult outside their family circle to listen to them and help them plan.
The community partner and the campus appoint a mentor coordinator to serve as the liaison for communications, programming and planning between the school and the partner group. Students self-select for the program with parent permission. Programming kicks off with get-to-know you activities for mentors and students, and a calendar of suggested activities, speakers, and college visits assure productive weekly meetings.  The SBISD Community Relations Department and SBISD Guidance and Counseling Services provide training, support and Mentor U events throughout the year. 

The Mentors
Mentors commit to a one-school year time frame and agree to meet with their student once-per-week, on campus.  Most programs meet during the evening, either on Mondays or Thursdays. Depending upon the campus, there may be flexibility to meet during the day as well. Typically, weekly sessions last approximately 1.5 hours.

The Results
Since its inception in 2000, nearly 300 students have attained the goal of college enrollment as a result of Collegiate Challenge. In 2008, approximately 30 students participated. They gained admission to nearly 75 universities and earned over $300,000 in scholarships!

The Texas Exemplar Program  
In July, 2007, SBISD’s Collegiate Challenge program earned a $42,500 grant from the Texas High School Project fund of the Communities Foundation of Texas.  The grant enabled us to expand to all SBISD high schools, and develop replication materials so that this exemplary college-focused program can be expanded to school districts across the state.  Learn more about the Exemplar Program model and how you can start Collegiate Challenge at the Texas High School Project site.

Press release      

Getting Started
For more information about how you can become a Collegiate Challenge Mentor help a young adult fulfill the dream of college enrollment, please contact the SBISD Community Relations Department at 713.464.1511, ext 2286 or partner@springbranchisd.com .

Funding to Expand the Collegiate Challenge Program in 2007 was graciously provided by