College Bound is an innovative program which uses college students to communicate the benefits of higher education to children in elementary schools. Started in 1994 by the McBride Foundation (New Mexico), over 160,000 students have since learned about the importance of personal responsibility, staying at grade level, and the opportunities created by higher education.
Though the drop out issue is no longer just a problem in economically disadvantaged area we target the 14 million children who attend Title 1 elementary schools in underprivileged areas, many of whom believe that college and higher education are beyond their reach. As a result, these children are far more vulnerable to self-destructive paths that start with dropping out of school and can lead to far more serious problems.
With the high school dropout rates now at an alarming 60% at some inner city high schools, we believe it is urgent that impressionable children be exposed to the exciting opportunities available to them if they pursue their education.
