On November 1, seven students at KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School will officially begin their next steps toward a college education. For this group, that early decision deadline is the culmination of years of effort and dedication geared toward reaching their goals.
Josue applied to Columbia University, and is interested in studying Civil Engineering, because, “It’s the intersection of architecture and engineering, which would set me up to pursue my two biggest passions!”
At KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School, students are identified as early decision candidates in December of their junior year based on ACT scores and GPA. This cohort began meeting regularly with the KIPP Forward team to begin preparing for the early decision application process, a full year and half ahead of time.
The KIPP Forward team works with every high school student to provide 1:1 college match and career guidance, support completing financial aid applications and finding scholarship opportunities, and providing access to college campus tours and pre-college programs.
Yvonya Guydon, Dean of College and Career Counseling at Collegiate, says an important part of narrowing down early decision options is making sure schools can meet full financial need.
Khonsu, who’s applying early decision to Vanderbilt University, says, “I would describe the KIPP Forward support as resourceful and adamant. Their support has helped me with choosing the best colleges to apply for, perfecting my personal statement, and staying up-to-date with scholarship opportunities.”
Josue and Khonsue, along with Abril, Dasia, Kimberly, Natalie, and Nya, will learn about their applications by mid to late December.
More than half this group speak multiple languages and are first generation college students, something Ms. Guydon can personally relate to. Ms. Guydon is a first generation college graduate with 12 years of college counseling experience and 19 years in education, beginning in the classroom as a teacher.
“The first time I stepped in front of class, it was the most comfortable thing I ever did,” Ms. Guydon says, who now spends her time dedicated to furthering the futures of KIPP students.
In addition to support from Ms. Guydon students met regularly with their College and Career Readiness Instructor, David Groves.
Mr. Groves left a career in higher education to support young people in high school with their transition to the big “what’s next” question.
Mr. Groves says, “I know I’m waking up with a purpose. I’ve always said I wanted to be the person I needed when I was younger.”
Dasia, along with her classmates, cites access to AP classes as one of the key ways KIPP is preparing them for college.
“That’s giving me the opportunity to learn at a college level and expand my knowledge beyond the high school level,” says Dasia, who is applying both to Yale and Washington University in St. Louis.
For Abril, the tight-knit KIPP community has been an important piece of her high school experience. “What I like the most about KIPP is the friendship and connections I have formed with teachers and classmates,” she says.
Looking ahead to the Class of 2025, Guydon says, there are twice as many juniors on track to become early decision candidates, the most since coming out of the pandemic.
“It’s definitely encouraging and shows us we’re on the right track,” she says, “Our goal is to offer all of our students the kind of rigorous college-prep environment that prepares them to apply to some of the most competitive schools across the country.”
Ultimately, Ms. Guydon says their team is focused on empowering students to be able to choose the best path forward based on their individual aspirations and career goals, which looks different for everyone.
“Through the College and Career Readiness classes, we are guided to prepare for life after graduation and now, as a senior, I feel prepared for what’s to come. When I think about the future, I am most excited about the doors that have been opened with the work and resources I have done here at KIPP!”
Let’s go, Class of 2024!
