American Indian Report - November/December 2008 - (Page 10)

E D U C AT I O N Prep School Recruits Native Students for Transitional Year Prior to College By Kimberly Hayes A leading prep school in New England is recruiting Native American students for a post-graduate transitional year between high school and college, which could become a model for other schools around the country. Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass., is a residential secondary school. Established in 1778, it offers 300 courses and opportunities for independent study and study abroad. While it has had Native American students enrolled, this is the first year slots have been held specifically for Indian students in the post-graduate year. The school has always reached out to a diverse population, Dean of Admissions Jane Fried said, with 42 percent of their students on scholarships, thanks to an $800 million endowment. However, in 2004 the school adopted a new strategic plan to travel to approximately 70 different areas across the country to attract more talented and diverse students. In 2006, an outside consultant suggested bringing in older Native American students. These students would be more mature, college bound and may manage the transition to a different environment more easily. “The post-graduate year allows students to come in already knowing where their talents lie, and they can really stretch,” Fried said. “We can also work on their weaknesses and build them up in those areas before college.” Two Native students are currently enrolled in the program, and the Academy hopes to recruit two to five students next year. Approximately 30-35 post-graduate seniors make up the entire 320-student senior class, Fried said. Other schools are reaching out to Indian Country in a similar way, Fried said, and she encourages even more schools to do so. “It has been very helpful. We have been able to learn a lot, and it is a way of increasing different perspectives in the classrooms.” Even though the Indian students are just settling in, they are already contributing to the community, Fried said. This month, the school is celebrating Native American Heritage Month, and the Native students are helping prepare the informational program, which will include posters and traditional Native music and food. Contact: Phillips Academy in Andover, (978) 749-4000. Web: http://www.andover.edu/Pages/default.aspx 10 November/December 2008 American Indian Report http://www.andover.edu/Pages/default.aspx

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of American Indian Report - November/December 2008

American Indian Report - November/December 2008 Contents Notes from Indian Country Elders Conference Offers Balancing Lessons Student Blanket Design Reflects Plains Horse Culture Congress: Activity on the Hill Prep School Recruits Native Students for Transitional Year Prior to College Honoring Nations Clinton Global Initiative Brings Native American Focus to the World A Q&A with Indian Country’s Top Cop Urban Clinics Go Paperless with IHS Record System Ohkay Owingeh Restores Wetlands, Protects Drinking Water Blogroll

American Indian Report - November/December 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.