• Program Overview >
• Program Organization
• Student Participant
• College and University Participant
• Program Features
• College Partnership Program Staff
• Additional Information

Inez Cohen, Coordinator, College Partnership Program
571-423-4410

Fairfax County Schools Administration Center
8115 Gatehouse Road
Falls Church, VA 22042

Program Overview

The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) College Partnership Program (CPP), which began in 1989, is a successful collaboration involving colleges and universities, corporate members of the Fairfax County Public Schools Education Foundation, Inc., parents, and the school system. Identified as one of the most comprehensive partnerships in the country and included in Reaching for College, a U.S. Department of Education publication, the program serves approximately 2,000 students in grades seven through twelve from 50 FCPS high and middle schools. Graduating an average of 300 students per year for the past 16 years, the CPP continues to experience a high success rate in the number of graduates who enroll in college.

The program goals are to increase the academic achievement of students and to increase the number of students, particularly first generation and minority students, who enroll in CPP and succeed in college. The CPP creates opportunities for students to successfully navigate the home, school, college, and work continuum.

Participating colleges and universities sponsor a variety of activities to increase students’ and parents’ knowledge and understanding of higher education programs and college life and to enhance students’ motivation for higher academic achievement.

The FCPS Education Foundation Inc. supports the program by linking employees of local businesses and student participants to provide work experiences, adult mentors, and the opportunity to see the way corporate America manages its activities.

CPP helps and supports participating students to ensure enrollment in and successful completion of the courses required for college entrance and coordinates all components of the program.

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Program Organization

The CPP staff, with support provided by school-based program advocates, coordinates divisionwide activities; maintains contact between FCPS and participating institutions; plans and implements college orientation visits; develops various program components; serves as the liaison between institutions, FCPS, the Education Foundation Inc., and parents; supports program advocate and cluster activities; and generally oversees program operations.

Program advocates are the school-based coordinators for the CPP. They work closely with students and provide the first level of contact for all program activities. Working closely with CPP staff members and guidance counselors, program advocates provide cluster activities that support CPP goals and monitor students’ participation in those activities. In addition, program advocates discuss Virginia high school diploma options and course selection opportunities.

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Student Participants

The College Partnership Program has approximately 2000 student participants in grades 7 through 12, distributed among all FCPS middle schools, high schools, and secondary schools. Criteria for a student’s selection include: (1) represents first generation college attendance, (2) shows potential for high academic achievement but has not consistently demonstrated it, (3) demonstrates ability to complete college work but may need motivation to sustain interest, (4) represents a family with income insufficient to support college without financial assistance, (5) demonstrates interest in and enthusiasm for learning and school, and (6) demonstrates leadership in school activities.

At the middle school level, students are exposed to information and activities that allow them to create a vision, set goals, and develop strategies that will direct them toward college choices and career choices. Annually, rising ninth grade students are selected to participate in the high school program and remain in it until graduation. Teachers, administrators, and/or community leaders recommend students to apply for admission to the CPP. Completed applications and written recommendations are required. Selection of students is made by a committee of FCPS staff and facilitated by the CPP coordinator. Each high school participant is assigned a College Preparatory Cluster that meets regularly at the high school throughout the year to strengthen skills and to prepare for activities associated with the College Partnership Program.

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College and University Partners

Each participating college and university has a written partnership agreement that describes the conditions of its participation. The agreement identifies the number of students to participate in the institution’s planned activities; the academic expectations for the students; descriptions of educational, cultural, and social activities planned for the campus and in the Fairfax County metropolitan area; expectations for parents of student participants; types of financial assistance available to students; and a promise of admission for students who successfully complete the program and meet admissions specific requirements.
The following institutions are partners in the College Partnership Program:

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Program Features

The essential elements of the CPP, include college orientation, academic counseling and monitoring, academic support, personal development training, and parent involvement.

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College Partnership Program Staff
Inez E. Cohen: Coordinator, College Partnership Program
Linda Peace: High School Program Specialist
Gail Allison, Ph.D.: Middle School Program Specialist
Orial Love: Parent Program Technician
Elizabeth Fischer: Scholarship Specialist
Shelia Peoples: Administrative Assistant
TBD: Office Assistant

Additional Information
For additional information, please call or write the CPP office:
College Partnership Program
Fairfax County Schools Administration Center
8115 Gatehouse Road
Falls Church, VA 22042
571-423-4410