Rainier Scholars

Programs: Academic enrichment - we successfully recruited our 18th cohort of scholars this year while continuing our earlier start initiative by having cohorts 16 and 17 on campus throughout the academic year with students enrolling from seattle, renton, highline and other surrounding districts. Meanwhile, cohort 15 completed their final summer in august 2017 with 100% earning placement into independent schools or highly-capable public school programs. Cohorts 16 and 17 completed their school year in 2017-18 also achieving a 100% placement rate in college preparatory settings with 39% in public school programs and 61% earning placement at independent schools. Cohort 17 marked our highest independent school placement rate ever at 75%.

college support 95% of scholars graduating from high school support phase have matriculated to 4-year colleges over the past ten years. In this most recent year, over 160 college scholars were served through ongoing comprehensive support and outreach, 100% of freshmen received on site campus visits from rainier scholars staff. An essential college 101 retreat provided critical support for transition into college life. Internships and additional career networking opportunities were provided to build professional networks. We now have nearly 200 college graduates. 85% of our first five cohorts have graduated within five years. Rainier scholars alumni are now employed throughout the region and the country at companies/institutions such as amazon, boeing, facebook, bmgi, accenture, google, liberty mutual, honeywell, deloitte, teach for america and uncommon schools. Other alums have graduated from medical school, business school and other advanced degree programs, preparing them for leadership in their workplaces and their communities. As we look at the leaders and community members our scholars are evolving into, we feel humble confidence that our model, which begins at age 10, truly offers the opportunity for students who otherwise would not have access to the high quality college preparation and leadership development experiences, to become the young adults they want to be, and in so doing, become members who so greatly enrich our communities and our world.

middle school support (formerly academic counseling and support services) 140+ scholars received comprehensive support services in middle (and high school) through on-site school visits, mentorship and skill-building workshops. Focus on increasing skills for academic success included organization, time management, accountability, self-advocacy, collaborative learning and risk taking with the majority of scholars demonstrating proficiency in at least four skill areas. Summer learning opportunities included over 75 students participating in 25+ different programs locally and nationally.