Start a Gateway to College Program in Your Community
Replication Process
Since 2003, Gateway to College has expanded to 26 colleges in 16 states. Gateway to College National Network is interested in bringing its unique model to more communities and students.
New Gateway network members are selected through a rigorous discovery and selection process, which includes meetings with National Network staff both at an existing Gateway program and at the applicant college, submission of a letter of interest, and a budget review. Since Gateway to College represents a partnership between colleges and their local school districts, the application requires the participation of school district leadership.
Once colleges are selected, they immediately begin hiring program staff who participate in intensive planning and training in preparation for program opening the following fall. Colleges use per-pupil funds from their local K-12 education partners to cover the cost of student tuition, books, and on-going student support.
New Gateway programs are supported by training, technical assistance, coaching, and program evaluation provided by National Network staff.
Start-up Grants
In some cases, funding is available from Gateway to College National Network in the form of start-up grants to colleges. In 2010, eligible colleges can compete for start-up grants of $325,000 as well as no-cost receipt of National Network services. Grant dollars are disbursed over a three-year start-up period, with the majority of the funding provided in the first year, prior to the generation of local per-pupil revenue.
There are many colleges that may be excellent environments for Gateway to College programs. Depending on available funding and the geographic investment priorities of our funders, it is possible that colleges may meet the selection requirements but not qualify for the start-up funding that Gateway to College National Network currently has available. In these cases, the National Network can support the college and school district in joint fundraising efforts to cover the initial costs of program start-up and network membership services.
Replication Requirements
Gateway to College National Network has created qualifications and readiness indicators for selecting partners to replicate the program.
Gateway to College programs are required to:
- Have the ability to align curriculum to allow students to meet the requirements for both high school and college completion, earn college credits, and achieve college success
- Serve a high school dropout population
- Provide all classes in the college setting
- Provide an initial learning environment blending rigorous academics with personal support
- Follow the Essential Elements of the model (Click here to view Essential Elements)
The Gateway to College model requires four areas of institutional strength in order to thrive. Our application process asks colleges to demonstrate:
- Flexible systems that allow students to earn a high school diploma (either through the college or in cooperation with a K-12 partner) and provide access to public K-12 education funds for high school completion
- Strong partnerships between the college and the local school district(s) involved in the replication
- The desire to embrace the Gateway to College academic approach and student support strategies at every level throughout the college
- Compatibility of the Gateway to College model with the mission and vision of the college, in order to support the required commitment to working with dropout youth
For more information on Gateway to College's replication efforts and the discovery process for interested colleges, please call Nick Mathern, Associate Vice President, Policy & Partnership Development, at (971) 634-1208 or email nmathern@gatewaytocollege.org.
