In summer 2007, Elon University established the Elon Academy, an intensive academic enrichment and leadership development program for academically talented Alamance-Burlington high school students with financial need and/or no family history of college. The mission of the Academy is to inspire academically promising high school students who are underrepresented on college and university campuses to pursue higher education, build leadership skills, and develop an active sense of social responsibility.

 

The Elon Academy was adapted from similar programs at Furman, Princeton, and Vanderbilt; however, our program is unique because we have added a significant component of leadership development, community service, family involvement, one-on-one academic coaching and counseling, paid internship opportunities, long-term support through at least the first two years of college, and a robust alumni program. 

 

In order to fulfill our mission and become a national model for college access programs, the Elon Academy includes four phases: The Elon Academy College Access Program, the Elon Academy Transitions to College Program, the Elon Academy College Success Program, and the Elon Academy Alumni Program. In addition, we are conducting multiple research studies to ensure that we are providing the best possible program and to inform the national conversation on college access and success.

 

The Elon Academy College Access Program is our original program. This year-round program combines three intensive 4-week residential experiences at Elon University with a variety of academic and enrichment activities during the school year. The summer program includes challenging curricular, co-curricular, and cultural experiences as well as leadership training, service projects, personal development classes, and college planning.

 

The month-long residential summer program includes a weekly schedule that begins on Sunday evening and ends at noon on Saturday, giving our scholars the opportunity to have time with their families, attend church services, and interact with their friends outside of the Academy on a weekly basis. Our goal is for scholars to integrate their lives in the Academy with their lives in the community while affording us the opportunity to have extended time with them in the evenings to complete artistic, service learning, and academic projects and to arrange overnight retreats and college trips. The residential component of the program provides scholars with an important transition experience into college life.

The year-round program includes monthly Saturday sessions designed for scholars’ respective years in high school. These programs include organizational and study skills, time management, SAT preparation, college selection, essay writing, and college, grant, and scholarship information and guidance. This year we will be adding highly engaging “Inquiry Projects” to enhance reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills as well as to improve, collaborative, organizational, study, and time management skills in order to increase potential for success in college.

 

In the summer of 2007, twenty-six Elon Academy scholars (Alpha class) spent a month on the Elon University campus. In the summer of 2008 an additional twenty-six academically talented rising tenth graders (Beta class) were admitted to the Elon Academy. In 2009 we enrolled a new cohort of twenty-nine tenth graders (Gamma class). In 2010, our Alpha class graduated, and we enrolled our fourth class of 26 Delta scholars. In 2011, we welcomed our 23 Epsilon class scholars. The Academy currently serves 71 high school scholars (in addition to 39 college scholars) and approximately 300 family members. A Reserve Fund, established by the Elon University Board of Trustees, provides resources for important items such as clothing for interviews, tuition for dual-enrollment classes, books, calculators, application fees, etc., expenses that are not a part of our general operating budget.

 

The Elon Academy Transitions to College Program began in the summer of 2010 with the Alpha class. This phase of the Academy supports graduating scholars’ transitions to college. It includes a three day summer retreat, and a family workshop and celebration. A grant from North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities has funded this phase of the program for two years.

The Elon Academy College Success Program began in the fall of 2010 with the Alpha class and is designed to ensure college success for scholars once they enter college. In this phase of the program, Elon Academy staff provide scholars and families with academic, social, and mentoring/advising support, as well as assistance in securing financial aid. This support aids scholars in successfully completing a four-year degree at the college or university of their choice, taking advantage of the rich experiences of college, and contributing to the intellectual and social climate of the university through their active campus citizenship. Currently the Academy supports 39 Alpha and Beta class scholars at 19 different colleges and universities. The Reserve Fund provides small grants to scholars for books, clothing, school supplies, fees, etc.

The Elon Academy Alumni Program began in the summer of 2011. This phase of the program expands the impact of the Elon Academy. It provides a network of support to Academy graduates and their families throughout their college years and beyond. In addition it brings Elon Academy alumni (college students and college graduates) back to the community to inspire and support other high school students who dream of a college education.

 

In addition to the four-phase program the Elon Academy provides support and resources for the university and the larger community as well as informing the larger conversation regarding college access and success. This has included the production of a documentary, UnHoped For; a Go-4-College DVD series; a book and art exhibit, Speaking Out: Underrepresented Students Challenging the Inequities of College Access; faculty and staff research studies; local, state, and national presentations and publications; networking with colleges and university admissions staff; and a public website with resources and information. In addition, Elon Academy faculty and staff serve on a variety of university committees regarding issues of diversity and retention of underrepresented students on campus.

 

The Elon Academy is a cooperative venture among Elon University, Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS), and other community partners. Through extensive and thoughtful collaboration, our holistic program meets the varied needs of scholars in our community and beyond who are underrepresented in colleges and universities.