The students of tomorrow, or so it would be said, gathered in a massive event at Capital One Arena on Friday, eager to witness the celebration of another year’s achievements and set the stage for future endeavors. The event, which is an offshoot of the College Signing Day initiative hosted by the D.C. College Access Program (DC CAP), serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration to aspiring young minds. The DC CAP initiative aims to recognize high school seniors and encourage middle schoolers from across the D.C. area to pursue post-secondary education or training. This year’s event was attended by over 3,000 students, a testament to the program’s growing influence and impact. One of the highlights of the event was the presence of several talented performers who took the stage to entertain and uplift the crowd. The cheer teams from Dunbar High School and Friendship Collegiate Academy, the Duke Ellington School of the Arts Chorus, and the TOB Go-Go Band were just a few of the groups that brought their unique energy and style to the proceedings. **Some Key Figures and Statistics**
- Over 300,000 students are enrolled in DC Public Schools (DCPS), according to the public school system.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching repercussions for DCPS students, with a completion rate for D.C. high schoolers rising but enrollment in post-secondary education declining.
- The average cost of attendance for a student living on campus at an in-state public 4-year institution is $27,146 per year, or $108,584 over 4 years.
Despite the challenges faced by DCPS students, the DC CAP initiative remains committed to closing the post-secondary completion gap. In a statement, Eric Waldo, President and CEO of DC CAP, emphasized the importance of celebrating students who are making a commitment to higher education. “We want to build that college-going culture,” he said. To address the financial barriers that often prevent students from pursuing higher education, DC CAP has implemented a scholarship cohort-based program with 13 partner universities. The program provides a scholarship that is stacked with the DC Tuition Assistance Grant Program, the Pell Grant, and agreements with institutions to reduce the cost of attendance to zero. As a result, DC CAP students are able to attend and graduate with little to no debt. Another area of focus for DC CAP is the underrepresentation of men in higher education. According to a study, the share of young college men in 4-year colleges gradually decreases among all races. DC CAP is working to overcome this disparity by starting with middle school students and providing male counselors to motivate and coach students. The organization believes that near-peer modeling is key to inspiring young men to pursue higher education. **DC CAP’s Vision for the Future**
The organization has announced a $30 million matching campaign to support D.C. students in completing college and other post-secondary endeavors. The funding, which includes $10 million from the Clark Foundation and $10 million from Monumental and the Leonsis Foundation, will be used to raise an additional $10M to support DC CAP’s cohort-based scholarship model and provide sustained, personalized support to help more students complete their post-secondary education and succeed in today’s economy. The campaign will also help DC CAP achieve its goal of ensuring an 80% completion rate for DC CAP scholars by 2050. According to DC CAP and Monumental Sports, this funding will support the organization’s efforts to provide sustained, personalized support to help more students complete their post-secondary education and succeed in today’s economy. Key Partners
| Partner | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Clark Foundation | $10 million |
| Monumental and the Leonsis Foundation | $10 million |
DC CAP’s 2050 Goal
- Ensure an 80% completion rate for DC CAP scholars by 2050.
What’s at Stake
The completion of post-secondary education is critical for students’ future success and the prosperity of the nation. DC CAP’s efforts aim to address the gaps in post-secondary education and ensure that all D.C. students have access to the resources and support they need to succeed. DC CAP’s Message
“Today, 47% of U.S. women ages 25 to 34 have a bachelor’s degree, compared with 37% of men,” said Eric Waldo, President and CEO of DC CAP. “We absolutely need men to be going to college at just as high rates as we need women. We’re working with students starting in middle school and following them, and we’re putting in male counselors in those schools to motivate and coach students. We’re trying to show that near-peer modeling is key to inspiring young men to pursue higher education.”
“By providing a scholarship cohort-based program with 13 partner universities, we’re able to reduce the financial barriers that prevent students from pursuing higher education,” Waldo continued. “Our goal is to build that college-going culture and ensure that all D.C. students have access to the resources and support they need to succeed in today’s economy.”
“We want to celebrate students who are making that commitment to a two-year degree, a four-year degree, a community college, a certificate, or credential. We want to build that college-going culture.” – Eric Waldo, President and CEO of DC CAP
Dedicated to providing a college-going culture, DC CAP is making strides towards achieving its goal of ensuring an 80% completion rate for DC CAP scholars by 2050. With a $30 million matching campaign and the support of key partners, DC CAP is well on its way to making a lasting impact on the lives of D.C. students. DC CAP’s mission is to provide a college-going culture and ensure that all D.C. students have access to the resources and support they need to succeed in today’s economy. With the help of its scholarship cohort-based program and the support of key partners, DC CAP is making strides towards achieving its goal of ensuring an 80% completion rate for DC CAP scholars by 2050. As the organization continues to work towards its goal, DC CAP remains committed to providing a college-going culture and ensuring that all D.C.
news is a contributor at FeePress. We are committed to providing well-researched, accurate, and valuable content to our readers.
