THUNDER BAY – Students at St. Ann School are starting to think about their university futures as early as Grade 4.
Up to 19 students this year will be eligible to enroll in Lakehead University’s Achievement Program, a chance to earn tuition credits over the next eight years while familiarizing themselves with the Thunder Bay campus, its activities and its faculty.
The program, first launched in 2011, on Wednesday expanded to the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, a move direction of education Pino Tassone said will get students on the post-secondary track at an early age.
And while the program is aimed at students with socio-economic and financial barriers that might otherwise make university not affordable, the program is open to all Grade 4 students at the south-side school.
“A lot of our kids don’t really know what university is and this gives them the opportunity to see what it’s all about and gives them the confidence that they could attain it one day,” Tassone said.
“It’s a huge opportunity. There are a lot of barriers that kids come to school with … This gives them the opportunity to overcome those barriers.
Lakehead University president Brian Stevenson, who helped launch the program at Lakehead Public Schools six years ago, said students who take full advantage of the program, funded through donations, can earn enough credits to cover their first-year studies.
“By participating in the program every year we put money aside in a scholarship for them to pay for tuition or other expenses at university,” said Stevenson, who will step down from his role at year’s end.
“But more importantly they get to engage with the university every year. The university becomes their home. They feel comfortable going to university once they get through Grade 12.”
Nine-year-old Trinity Lavoie would like to take part in the Achievement Program, which she thinks can help her achieve her career goal of being a police officer.
Going to university is important for everyone, she added.
“So they can get a job when they’re older,” Trinity said.
Program co-ordinator Amanda Stefanile said there are 30 students already enrolled in the program, the vast majority who have stuck with it.
She said research shows students in Grade 4 are already starting to think beyond high school, so it’s good to get to them young.
“That’s why we’ve opted to have the program start at that young age. It seems really young, but if you can plant that seed early they can start to think about themselves and about some possibilities after high school.”
Students visiting the campus get a hands-on learning experience, building rockets or robots, among other activities.
Registration is open through November. Tassone said they’re hopeful the program can expand to a north-side school next.
Students can only use the tuition credits at Lakehead University.
