Opening Doors With the Early College Program

Do you remember when you started college?

The experience is daunting, to say the least. Such a big decision can be mentally, emotionally, and financially overwhelming, and without the right support, it can be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Unfortunately, support like this is not something our students often receive. We have seen the limitless potential of our city's teens, but we have also seen them face significant struggles that keep them from thriving.

At Elevate, we're determined to change that.

Since January 2023, we have proudly partnered with IPS and Ivy Tech Community College to equip our students with the tools they need to become confident, contributing members of their community.

Through the Early College Program at Arsenal Tech High School, 9th-12th grade students begin earning up to 30 credit hours of college courses, which are transferable to any Indiana public or private university. By gaining this academic experience while still in high school, students can build a strong foundation and gain confidence in their ability to achieve personal and financial stability.‍

Currently, among Early College students:

• 43% report that their primary guardian did not graduate high school
• 53% report a family history of incarceration
• 13% report that their primary guardian is unemployed
• 9% report that they are currently or have recently experienced homelessness

With immense obstacles to overcome, many of our students come to us believing that college is out of their reach. Our full-time Teacher-Mentors aim to empower these students to see themselves succeeding in postsecondary education and breaking these cycles of intergenerational trauma.

"As an educational consultant, literacy coach, and English teacher to some of Elevate's students, I've seen firsthand how their mission transforms lives, equipping young people with the skills and confidence they need to succeed."  

-Nikia D. Garland, English Teacher at ATHS

Through the Early College Program, we aim to provide tools for success while alleviating challenges that may cause a student to miss out on a college education.  These college-level courses can save students and families $4,200-$10,500 in college tuition costs, making a college degree much more accessible for students in our underserved communities.

Additionally, participating in Early College gives students access to the entire Elevate model, including holistic mentorship and 1:1 support by a full-time Teacher-Mentor. By fostering deep, transformative relationships, we provide a supportive environment where students can uncover new possibilities and take actionable steps toward the future.

Find out more about the Early College Program here.

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"The Early College program [helped] me to be a better person and be more prepared for my future, and even though it will be tough sometimes, the teachers make it comfortable and will help you in any way they can to make sure you do your best always.”

-Andrea, Early College Student

As we continue to look ahead to the future, we are so proud of the growth and success we have seen in our students. Based on the data received via Student Growth Assessments & the Salesforce Thriving Youth Dashboard, we have seen:

• Doubled enrollment in the Early College program since January 2023
• 93% Early College Overall Persistence, with 100% Persistence from 2024-25
• 98% of enrolled students on track to graduate and positioned well for post-secondary readiness
• 95% of students completing a 2-year actionable plan with Elevate
• An average GPA of 3.46 among our first two Early College cohorts
• 19% of Early College students with a GPA over 4.0
• 67% of students increase their GPA since enrolling in Early College
• An average of 25 hours of 1:1 mentoring completed per student
• 85% of students report that they plan to attend college and are confident that they have the skills to do so

As part of the Early College Program, we get to show our students that we care about their success even after they leave our classroom. Through college preparation and holistic mentorship, we aim to give them the tools to overcome challenges and the confidence to discover their limitless potential, all with the support of their Elevate family behind them.

When you support Elevate, you support the future of our city as we prepare the next generation of leaders for success. From all of us at Elevate, thank you so much for your continued dedication to our mission.

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