Rainier Scholars – Tacoma
In partnership with Tacoma Public Schools (TPS), Rainier Scholars – Tacoma will helpincrease college access for students and build on a commitment to serve more African American students in the region.
Our Mission
Rainier Scholars cultivates students’ academic and leadership potential through rigorous, transformative opportunities that increase college graduation rates and empower new generations of leaders.
We envision a more just and inclusive society with equitable representation at all levels of leadership and influence.
What we do
Rainier Scholars is a college readiness program for students in the Tacoma community. We recruit in 4th grade, start working with students and families the summer before 5th grade, and walk alongside them through 8th grade with the goal of preparing students for college preparatory pathways in high school.
Our scholars engage in a proven middle school program that focuses on academics, leadership, career, and identity, and accelerates students’ learning by at least one grade level prior to high school. We also support parents/guardians in building their skills to be strong educational advocates for their children.
What makes us different than other college access programs?
Early start
Rainier Scholars starts the summer before 5th grade and continues through 8th grade. This early start allows us to set a strong academic foundation for students so that they enter college prep pathways with the confidence and skills to be successful.
Academic preparation
In addition to providing families with information about what it takes to be college ready, we also provide the academic coursework necessary to get students ahead. Students will complete about 1,000 hours of additional course work outside of their school year before 9th grade.
Comprehensive approach
Our programs reflects a holistic, wellness-driven approach. Our services include mental health support and curriculum that integrates cultural identity and resiliency for high achieving students.
African American focus
Rainier Scholars – Tacoma is committed to centering Multi-Generational African American (MGAA) students and families in our program design. Click here to learn more about why.
A history of student success
We have seen over 1,000 lives transformed to date, with approximately 100 new scholars added to our program each year (includes Seattle and Tacoma program sites).
Our average key performance indicators demonstrate our impact.
Includes independent, parochial and boarding schools, as well as public school highly capable/advanced learning opportunities
Compared to the national four-year college acceptance rate of 67%
Note: This reflects the average school selectivity rate. Source: 2019 State of College Admissions, National Association for College Admissions Counseling
Compared to the national graduation rate of 65%.
Source: 2020 National Center for Education Statistics
Interested in learning more about Rainier – Scholars Tacoma? Fill out an interest form and we will follow up with you!
