South County Cal-SOAP's annual "I'm Going to College!" Program will begin with a kick-off in January 2010. This year the program will be offered to eight different elementary schools’ 5th graders. (Antonio del Buono, Eliot, Glen View, Las Animas, El Roble, and Rucker (GUSD) Aromas & San Juan School (ASJUSD) "I'm Going to College!" is designed to create an awareness of higher education opportunities in elementary school children and to instill in them the attainable goal of attending college. The project entails classroom learning of different types of colleges, understanding key terms such as "degree" and "major", practicing the process of applying for admission and financial aid, and hearing from guest speakers to motivate and encourage their academic success. The program culminates with a "College Day" at UCSC where they are welcomed as honorary college students. They will graduate from IGTC the program on the last day of program and attend a graduation ceremony in May.

The IGTC project is designed to make elementary school children excited about going to college. IGTC introduces students to the idea that going to college is a real possibility. IGTC targets elementary school children who attend schools in low-income and/or underserved areas. Each student participates in a six-week curriculum that includes a number of in-class exercises and activities that relate to IGTC. As a special finale, the classes of students involved visit a college or university campus in their area. During the day-long visit, they are given a college tour, backpacks, and lunch in a college dining hall.

 I'M GOING TO COLLEGE! CORE PROGRAM ELEMENTS

Kick-off Assembly - overview held at elementary school of program for teachers, and students. Presenters can include the college tutors, South County Cal-SOAP staff, and elementary school staff.

Activity Books and Teacher Guides - a 6-week curriculum the students follow to learn about college before their campus visit

Campus Event - one day visit to the University of California, Santa Cruz that follows curriculum of learning about college; includes campus tour led by UCSC students & alumni and Cal-SOAP staff.

Graduation Ceremony - An evening event including dinner, a guest speaker, and a ceremony for 5th grade students and parents, but also shared with high school and college students being recognized for graduating from high school as
4-year Cal-SOAP students and/or for receiving a Cal-SOAP scholarship.