Schools
Riverwood Celebrates Seniors Achieving in Life Program
The majority of the students completed the process and will be attending traditional 2- or 4-year colleges or technical colleges.
From Riverwood Int'l School: The Riverwood International Charter School counseling department recently hosted a breakfast honoring this year's Seniors Achieving in Life (SAIL) participants. Approximately 60 students, mentors, and staff members attended the April breakfast in the school cafeteria. The Sandy Springs Education Force (SSEF), a long- time supporter of the SAIL program, funded the event. A highlight of the morning was hearing the students announce where they will be attending college.
In this sixth year of Riverwood’s SAIL program, there were 42 student participants and 28 mentors. The majority of the students completed the process and will be attending traditional 2- or 4-year colleges or technical colleges.
The effect that SAIL has on students is life changing. Notes SAIL participant, Auburn Jennings, “The SAIL program helped me a lot by encouraging me to go to college. My mentor was extremely supportive and is the reason why I’m attending Georgia State University this fall!” SAIL participants partner with trained adult community volunteers who assist them in the often-daunting process of selecting and applying to colleges and technical schools. The Riverwood counselors identify SAIL candidates as those who possess the grades and determination to pursue post-secondary education but who, by the middle of their senior year, have not begun the application process. Mentors work with students on a weekly basis, assisting them in applying for required testing, such as SAT, ACT, or ACCUPLACER. Over the course of the two-months, adults guide the students through the process of filling out admissions documents, writing essays, requesting transcripts, completing financial aid documentation, and applying for scholarships. Mentors are volunteers from the community; many are current Riverwood parents, a few are former Riverwood parents, but a number are not directly connected to the school.
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The Sandy Springs Education Force provides the Riverwood SAIL program with funds to pay for testing and application fees for students for whom those fees present a hardship. For more information or to volunteer as a mentor for the SAIL program, please contact Riverwood College/Career
Counselor Roxie Garber Garber@fultonschools.org
Image Via Riverwood Int'l School
