SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO---The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees have approved a College Readiness Block Grant Plan from the State of California totaling $467,371. The plan will be implemented and the money will be spent over the next three years, with a goal to provide unduplicated high school students (low income English learners and foster youth) in the District the support they need to increase college readiness and access to higher education.

“We want to provide every support possible to assist our students in college admissions and successfully completing an undergraduate degree in four years,” said Board of Trustees President Amy Hanacek. “This grant is a great support of our goal for every high school graduate to have an implementable plan for college, career or the military on the Monday after graduation.”

The grant money will be used to help students achieve college and career readiness. An additional college and career counselor will be hired who is bilingual in Spanish to provide group sessions and meetings for parents. Test fees for the ACT and SAT will be reimbursed to qualifying unduplicated students. College guidance, test preparation, supplies, reference materials, books, software and printing materials will all support our students through the college admissions process.

“Helping to prepare our students for life after high school will help ensure their future success,” Hanacek said. “Our future leaders are worth this investment,” Hanacek says.

With Board approval of the grant, the first meeting for parents and students is January 10 in the District Office board room from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Saturday ACT and SAT test preparation counseling is tentatively slated for April 1- May 20.

###