Countdown to College welcomes 72 students

Saint Mary’s is conducting its third annual Countdown to College through Aug. 4. This two-week program for students from under-resourced communities is offered each summer for four years, beginning just after they complete eighth grade and continuing until they reach college age — helping to assure each student is prepared for a successful college experience.

The camp is free to student participants from San Miguel and Nativity middle schools and Cristo Rey and Lasallian high schools, their parents (who come the first weekend) and teachers from their schools, who co-teach with SMU instructors, and help prepare SMU instructors on how to effectively work with this growing population of students. SMU welcomed back 22 participants for the third time, 24 participants for the second time, and 26 new incoming ninth-graders. Each group stays on campus for two weeks.

This is one portion of the First-Generation Initiative, which helps students prepare and succeed at college.