Academic Achievers Program at Austin High School
The Academic Achievers Program at Austin High School has existed since 1988. First known as the “Hispanic Family College Project” and later as the “SABE- Students Aspiring to a Better Education- Program”, this program focuses on helping at-risk students achieve excellent academic standing, high school graduation, and college enrollment. Every three years, the program recruits a cohort of rising sophomores.
Student eligibility is based on the following criteria:
- 3.0 G.P.A.,
- strong college aspirations,
- leadership skills, and
- financial need.
Those who are accepted are provided with the following services throughout their entire three year program membership:
- daily tutoring sessions,
- mentoring,
- workshops,
- educational field trips,
- leadership development retreats, and
- summer PSAT/SAT preparation courses.
In order to remain in the program, all members must maintain:
- a minimum of a 3.0 G.P.A.,
- enroll in college preparatory classes,
- complete at least 2 hours of supervised studying and/or tutoring per week,
- attend all program sponsored meetings, workshops, community services events, leadership development retreats, and summer sessions.
The students’ biggest incentive to remain in the program with good standing is knowing that when they graduate from high school and enroll at the University of Houston, they will be automatically admitted into the Academic Achievers Program at UH and become eligible for a four year $10,000 scholarship.
Activities
Spring 2007
- First day of tutoring, Monday, January 8, 2007
- Five Student Meetings were held during the Spring semester
- Understanding Procrastination Workshop, Thursday, January 25, 2007
- Barbeque Plate Sale, Saturday, March 3, 2007
- Recruitment Presentation, Wednesday, March 7, 2007
- Community Service Project, Saturday, March 24, 2007
- Developing A Positive Attitude Workshop, Tuesday, March 27, 2007
- Community Service Project, Saturday, March 31, 2007
- CMAS "Si Se Puede" Conference, Friday, April 13, 2007
- Parent Meeting, Wednesday, May 14, 2007
Equipping Students with the Academic & Leadership Skills They Need to Succeed
The students in the program are required to attend leadership development retreats and summer sessions. This year the leadership development retreat took place in San Antonio, Texas the weekend of May 18-20, 2007. The leadership development retreats are held to help the students develop effective leadership skills and/or hone the ones they may already have. Of the 15 students who participated in the retreat, 12 stated it was "excellent" and the remaining three said it was "good." The LDR was the last AAP sponsored activity for the students in the 4th 2004-2007 cohort. Below is a summary of the activities that took place during the LDR.
Leadership Development Retreat
San Antonio, TX
May 18–20, 2007
- Welcome, Overview of Agenda & Icebreaker by Mrs. Maria D. Cobio, Special Programs Counselor, Achievers Program at Austin High School, CMAS, University of Houston
- “The Characteristics of an Effective Leader” by Patricia Mejia, Executive Director, 21st Century Leadership Center, St. Mary's University
- Guided Tour of Instituto Cultural de Mexico by Teresa Cruz, Scenic Arts Coordinator
- “Mexican American Leadership in Higher Education” by Carla Mendiola, Professor, Center for Mexican American Studies & Research, Our Lady of the Lake University
- Presentation & Guided Barrio/ Mural Tour, by Martin Martinez, Pastoral Team, Mexican American
- Recreational Activity: Fiesta Texas
- Closing & Evaluation of the Retreat by Mrs. Maria D. Cobio, Special Programs Counselor & Academic Achievers Program at Austin High School Mentors
- Recreational Activity: Sea World
Barrio Mural Tour
Instituto Cultural de Mexico Tour
