Literacy Program

Stay In The Game in collaboration with Concordia University's school of education offers a supplemental reading program for grade and middle school students called, "Read 2day 4 College 2morrow".  The purpose of this supplemental reading program is an effort to get all of our students reading at a college level by the time they enter the 9th grade.  The goals for the program are for all students to achieve fluency in independent reading, comprehension skills, concentration skills, retention skills, and increase their vocabulary.

Academic Workshops

Stay In The Game Inc facilitates a speaker series that utilizes local community and business leaders, current and former athletes, and coaches to discuss possible careers choices, along with social, health, and family issues facing our youth today.  In addition to the speaker series, SITG provides academic workshops for teens that discuss the importance of continuing their education, financial aid, college extrance exams, and basic life skills.  The academic workshops include the following:

The Importance Of Courses, Grades, and Activities

What college admissions officers evaluate when reviewing student transcripts and the importance of selecting academic subjects beyond the basic requirements. 

Grades and Class Rank: Grades Count!

By getting good grades in high school, students are demonstrate to admissions officers that they have the potential to successfully complete college-level academic work. The grade point average (GPA) is often used as a criteria by admissions committees in making their decisions. Another indicator of academic ability is class rank, which shows where a student's GPA is in comparison with other students in the class.

Extra-Curricular Activities: Why Get Involved?

The activities that students participate in while in high school, completes the picture of who they are. Colleges are interested in knowing what a student might be able to contribute to the college community in skills, talents, and interests. In addition to athletics, the participants will learn the value of participating in clubs, volunteer work or paid employment. Special emphasis will be placed on activities that involve community service as a means of developing leadership skills. The community service experience can also qualify for students for some scholarship opportunities.

College Entrance Exams: The PSAT, SAT, and ACT Exams

We want to expose students (early in their educational process) to the college entrance exam. They will learn the types of questions, the scoring process and strategies to improving their scores. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of registering for the exam and reporting scores to colleges and universities.

Student Financial Aid Checklist

We will discuss the types of financial aid (Loans, Scholarships, Savings, Work-Study, and Grants). Students will be exposed to the “complete” cost of college (Application Fees, Books, Tuition, Housing, Meals). Students will be exposed to the financial aid application process. A guideline for activities that they can follow during 9^th, 10^th, 11^th and 12^th grades will be presented.

Why Should I Go To College?

Students will be exposed to the concept of pursuing a college education. They will learn that a college education gives them more employment opportunities and better life experiences. College preparation activities to will allow students express ideas clearly in speech and in writing, to make informed decisions, and to use technology--useful skills on and off the job. A comparison of 2-year, 4-year and advanced degrees will be discussed. Career exploration activities will allow them to identify career options and the needed degree requirements.

Issues For College Bound Athletes

Students will be presented with the special college admission requirements for freshman athletes. We discuss the Division 1 Vs Division 2 academic requirements and what determines if they are a “full” or “partial” qualifier as a freshman college athlete. There will be emphasis on the relationship between a student’s “core” GPA and ACT/SAT exam scores. The students will learn the process of registering and becoming certified by the Clearinghouse for eligibility for participating in athletics as a college freshman.

Choosing A College Major

Students will learn to identify their personal interests and how they can use this knowledge for selecting a college major. There will be facilitated discussions of pursuing minor courses of study which compliment their selected major.

Developing Adult Independence

Students will be exposed to key life transitional periods and discuss strategies for making choices that help them realize their personal and academic goals. Emphasis will be on the following:

• Making the transitions from grade to middle to high school to college to a career

• Establishing personal goals and sticking to them

• Developing relationships with people who can help you reach your goals

• Identifying resources when needing academic help

• Time management for studying, practice, personal and family matters

            • Developing a sense of financial economics and personal budgeting

Making Positive Life-Style Choices

Students inevitably will be confronted with participating in sexual activity, experimentation with drugs and alcohol and the temptation of involvement in gang-activity. Consideration to the students’ social environment and family situation will be taken into account. A discussion of how the choices made as a youth can negatively impact their ability to achieve their stated goals. Students will learn how to make positive choices and strategies for discontinuing negative behavior they may be involved.