Vincena M. Allen and Kerry Richardson
The SEED Foundation & SEED Schools:
A Middle School through College Success Model
Building a College Going Culture
About SEED
SEED College Success
Model
Research, Practices, &
Programs
2
Founded in 1997, SEED opened
the nation’s first urban public
boarding school one year later to
help underserved children go to
college and succeed.
SEED Schools offer:
• Safe 24-hour learning environment
• Rigorous college-prep curriculum
• Comprehensive boarding and life skills
program
• Commitment to recruiting and developing
exceptional educators and boarding
faculty
• Integrated family support program
• Anchor institution in the community
• Financially sustainable business model
3
SEED History
The Public Boarding School Model
SEED prepares students for success in college and beyond and provides
wraparound assistance under one roof to support the academic and social
success of the student.
SEED takes a holistic approach to nurturing the academic,
social and emotional growth of students and graduates.
Results: Students & Graduates
• 92% of SEED students who
enter the ninth grade
graduate from high school,
compared with 33% (Wards 7
& 8), 43% (DC) and 68%
(US)
• 94% of SEED graduates are
accepted to four-year
colleges
• 87% of SEED graduates
immediately enroll in college,
compared with 56% of
African-American students
nationally
• 94% of SEED graduates
enroll in college within 18
months of high school
graduation
• 62% of SEED graduates
remain enrolled in college or
have earned college degrees
5
Building a College Going Culture
About SEED
SEED College Success
Model
Research, Practices, &
Programs
6
The SEED Model – Middle School through College Success
SEED places college readiness and completion at the forefront of our
work with underrepresented communities.
College Success
College Transition
College Access
College Prep
• 6-12th Grade College
Prep Curriculum
• Teacher Training
• Boarding Program
(HALLS)
• Summer Enrichment
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College Prep Seminar
Access Workshops
College Tours
Senior Internships
College Fairs
Financial Aid Series
Summer Enrichment
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Transition Series
Senior Meetings
Financial Aid Guidance
Staff Transition Meetings
Scholarship Distribution
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Graduate Support
College Outreach Visits
Resource Referral
Best Practices Research
College/University
Partnerships
The SEED Foundation
The SEED Schools
7
SEED’s College Success Model – The SEED Schools
The College Counseling teams at The SEED Schools manage the college search,
matching, application, & selection process.
Director of College Counseling
College Counseling/Matching
College Readiness Programming
College Prep Seminar Management
Middle and High School College Awareness Coordination
Life Skills Counselor/College
Readiness
Life Skills Counseling
College Readiness Support
College Prep Seminars (juniors & seniors)
College Counseling Coordinator
Middle School College Awareness
College Visit Management
Standardized Testing Coordination
Logistics Support
SEED’s College Success Model – The SEED Foundation
The College Transition & Support (CTS) program is a multi-layered academic, financial, and
personal support program initiated to assist graduates with the postsecondary transition
process
Social/Emotional
Support
Academic
Advising
College
Outreach
Visits
SEED
Graduates
Financial Aid
Assistance
Progress
Evaluation
Career
Coaching
SEED
Schools
Scholarship
Support
Transfer
Application
Assistance
Resource
Referrals
Emergency
Financial
Support
College
Transition
Sessions
Building a College Going Culture
About SEED
SEED College Success
Model
Research, Practices, &
Programs
10
Research, Practices, & Programs
Based on data collected by CTS staff and our work with graduates, SEED decided to undertake
a 360 degree review of the entire model to identify and strengthen key levers that enhance
college completion.
Research, Practices, & Programs
SEED’s mission is to prepare students for success in college and beyond. Thus, students, families, & staff
are immersed in the college going culture through messaging, programming, and making college completion
a part of every conversation.
ORIENTATION
MIDDLE SCHOOL
11th,
12th
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College Exposure, College Awareness Sessions
Life Skills
Success Highways
Summer Enrichment Opportunities
Financial Literacy/Financial Education
• Summer Bridge
• Freshman Seminar, Summer Enrichment Opportunities
• Reach for College, Financial Literacy/Financial Education
9th GRADE
10th,
• Academic Assessments
• Determine Appropriate Levels of Support
• College Tours/Visits (students & families), College Awareness
Activities
GRADE
COLLEGE SUPPORT
• College Tours, College Counseling Sessions (students & families)
• Test Prep, College Application Completion Nights, Essay Writing
• College Prep Seminars, Internships, College Rep Visits, Reach for
College, SEED Graduate Panels
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College Transition Series, Graduate Summer Institute
College Support Advising, Networking Activities
Financial Aid Coaching, Graduate Ambassador Program
College Outreach Visits