The transition from high school to college can be difficult.

Nationally, the percentage of male students who graduate college in six years or less is 56 percent. When you add a challenging financial situation into that mix, the college persistence rate for young men drops considerably.

With these statistics in mind, Church Farm School developed the Alumni Success Program, which supports recent graduates as they navigate their college careers. CFS was recently awarded a $100,000 grant through the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation for this work. It will provide critical funding for three years.

The school’s Alumni Success team maintains connections with 200 graduates quarterly and provides support, mentorship, and guidance to help keep them on track. The program was launched in 2016 with seed funding from the Hamilton Family Foundation, the Church of the Redeemer, and the Charter Foundation, and is already making a verifiable difference.

“One hundred percent of our graduates are matriculating to esteemed colleges and universities each year, but many are the first in their families to go to college, or are facing other challenges and setbacks,” said Tiffany Scott, CFS’s Director of College Guidance. “We’ve found that maintaining connections with our alumni plays a critical role in their persistence; whether assisting with course selections, giving advice about managing student-professor relationships, or just offering a listening ear when they are homesick.

“We are extremely grateful to the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation for recognizing the important role our Alumni Success program plays in the future success of Church Farm School’s amazing young men.”

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