Chancellor Carranza Announces Record 498 High Schools Participating in College Application Week

NEW YORK – Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza today announced a record-high 498 high schools are participating in College Application Week, a coordinated statewide week-long effort to support students in planning for, and applying to, college. The 498 schools will offer a range of activities, including college application sessions, college tours, and workshops to help students complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This year, all 498 schools are receiving the College Match Resource Bundle, which includes resources for college counselors and students to identify “best fit” college options.

College Application Week runs from October 21 to October 25, and is part of College Access for All, a key initiative in the Mayor and Chancellor’s Equity and Excellence for All agenda.

“For students who may be the first in their family to go to college, setting foot on campus for a tour or getting help with a financial aid application can be a total game-changer,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “This year, more students than ever are receiving that kind of support through College Application Week. We want our students to succeed not only while they are in our schools, but also in the years after, and College Access for All plays a key role in making that a reality.”

College Application Week is one of five citywide events designed to prepare high school students as they navigate the critical milestones towards their chosen college or career pathway. The events raise awareness around the most critical steps needed to prepare for college and a career and are key opportunities for schools, university partners and community-based organizations to collaborate to ensure each student has access to their desired postsecondary choice. Additional College and Career Planning events include Financial Future Month, Career Exploration Month, SAT School Day and Decision Day.

The 498 schools include 127 in the Bronx, 140 in Brooklyn, 128 in Manhattan, 89 in Queens, and 14 on Staten Island. College Application Week started in 2013 at just ten New York City schools.

College Access for All is now reaching every middle and high school in New York City. Starting this school year, every high school has the resources and supports for students to graduate with a college and career plan. More students are equipped in knowing how to apply to college, pay for college, prepare for the SATs, as well as in exploring and selecting college and career pathways. The initiative has eliminated the CUNY college application fee for low-income students and made the SAT exam available free of charge during the school day for all high school juniors.

At the middle school level, every 7th-grader in New York City has an opportunity to visit a college campus. Approximately 70,000 7th-graders are able to visit college campuses during the school year, and all middle schools are engaging students and families in a school-wide college and career culture.

Computer Science for All, College Access for All, and AP for All are part of Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza’s Equity and Excellence for All agenda. 3-K for All and Pre-K for All are strengthening foundational skills and instruction earlier; Universal Literacy is working towards ensuring every student is reading on grade level by the end of 2nd grade; and Algebra for All is improving elementary- and middle-school math instruction and ensuring that all 8th graders have access to algebra. Equity and Excellence for All is also offering students more challenging, hands-on, college and career-aligned coursework – Computer Science for All brings 21st-century computer science instruction to every school, and AP for All is giving all high school students access to at least five Advanced Placement courses. Along the way, they are giving students and families additional support through College Access for All, Single Shepherd, and investment in Community Schools. Efforts to create more diverse and inclusive classrooms, outlined in the 2017 New York City school diversity plan and through diversity pilots taking root in 8 districts, are central to this pathway.

###

Contact:  Chancellor’s Press Office (212) 374-5141