Planting the seeds of success for K-12 students
Grow to College is a series of free activities (10 per grade) that help K-12 students think and talk about themselves and possibilities for their future with parents, teachers and mentors. Activities include topics such as moral, social, educational, and career growth and ask students and parents to discuss opinions, values, actions, plans, goals, and insights. Activities range from emotional to practical, challenging to relaxing.
Grow to College activity sheets are free and may be printed from our website by individuals, schools, churches, or community programs. Individual sheets have vouchers so that students can earn homework credit or incentives through optional school or club programs. Clubs and incentive programs may be organized and sponsored by schools, PTA’s, businesses, religious or civic organizations, local colleges, or any group of interested adults. Existing organizations such as Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, or Big Brothers Big Sisters can also choose to incorporate the activity series into their programs.
Grow to College may be implemented in many different ways. One way is for homeroom teachers or club leaders to introduce and distribute activities each month. The students would then ask a parent or other adult to participate in the exercise with them. Schools and clubs can also arrange for students to do the activities with on-site mentors. Students may choose to collect their activity sheets in a binder, journal, or scrapbook so they can refer back to them for information, inspiration, and proof of participation. Educators may want to give pre- and post-tests to groups of students to gauge their understanding.
Grow to College is a program that offers K-12 students a continuous process of imagining, planning, and achieving fulfilling lives, even as they move from one school or community to another. Grow to College is meant to complement and reinforce efforts already being made by parents, educators, and communities to ensure student success: it is a supplement not a replacement. If you have any suggestions or questions, please contact Elizabeth Alter at growtocollege@gmail.com or use the blog. Or write to us at Grow to College, P.O. Box 1866, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403-1866
Grow to College 