DKC Public Relations
Bruce Bobbins / Megan Lavery
(212) 981-5190 / (212) 981-5147
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
____________________________________________________________________________
DEMAND FOR ADMISSION INTO SEO SCHOLARS AS HIGH AS ELITE NYC PREP SCHOOLS
Low-Income NYC Public H.S. Students Vie for Seats in Free Saturday School
(New York, August 16, 2012) While affluent parents around the city scramble to get their children into
elite private schools like Dalton, Collegiate or St. Anne’s, this fall low-income parents in New York City are
also competing for seats in a highly sought-after academic program: SEO Scholars. Last year, over 1,000
students applied but the college preparatory program only had room for 127. The application numbers are
expected to jump when recruiting begins next month.
Consider Jason, a ninth grader who will be attending one of the lowest-performing public high schools in
the city. Of his classmates, 4 out of 5 will graduate unprepared for college. If Jason is accepted to SEO
Scholars, a recent independent study shows he will ultimately close the achievement gap that plagues so
many of his peers—without the price tag of an elite prep school. SEO Scholars is free.
Last year, 100% of SEO Scholars were accepted to four-year colleges; 75% attend highly competitive
schools. A Policy Studies Associates study revealed that Scholars outperformed national test-takers on
the SAT with an average score of 1616, surpassing the score needed (1550) to be “college ready,” as
identified by the College Board. That same class also earned over $1.5 million in scholarships for their
first year of college alone.
SEO Scholars accepts low-income public high school ninth graders who earn average grades and would
be among the first in their families to attend college. Recruitment begins this September at over 45 public
high schools throughout the five boroughs.
The rigorous out-of-school program provides 720+ hours of instruction on Saturdays, after school, during
school breaks and a month-long summer session, adding the equivalent of 2.5+ years of English and
1.5+ years of math to the average school year.
“Some prospective students balk at the idea of Saturday and summer school,” said program director Millie
Hau. “Then we tell them about our college acceptance rates, the financial aid packages and scholarships
our students earn, the opportunities we provide to travel abroad or connect with a mentor, and they’re in.”
The principal of Bronx Center for Science and Mathematics, Edward Tom, agrees. “Our students actually
look forward to going to Saturday Academy, and we know the time investment will bring them success.”
Since 2006, SEO Scholars has tripled the number of students served. Currently, over 400 high school
students in New York City and San Francisco are enrolled, in addition to over 240 college students at 106
different schools across 19 states. SEO Scholars estimates that there are 10,000 New York City students
who could qualify for the program.
(Editor’s Note: The concrete results of this program are best seen first-hand. SEO Scholars cordially
invites members of the press to attend Saturday Academy on one of the following dates.)
Sept 8, 15, 22
October 6, 13, 20
Nov 3, 10, 17
December 1, 8, 15
About Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO)
Founded in 1963 with a mission to provide talented and motivated young people from underserved and
underrepresented communities with access to educational and career opportunities, SEO runs three
programs: SEO Scholars is an out-of-school time academic program that ensures low-income public high
school students get to and through college; SEO Career recruits, trains and mentors outstanding college
students of color for internships in some of the nation’s most competitive industries; SEO Alternative
Investments provides education, training and mentoring opportunities to talented professionals
traditionally under-represented in the alternative investments sector. SEO’s powerful network of 8,000
alumni spans 46 states and 45 countries including affiliate programs in London, China and Vietnam.
www.Twitter.com/SEOScholar
www.SEOScholars.org
www.Facebook.com/SEOScholars