Young Scholars

Young Scholars
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Contact Information

Flossie Mitchell
YSLPP Director
Utica College, 1600 Burrstone Road
Utica, New York 13502

(315) 792-3237
(315) 792-3083 (Fax)

About Us


 

Mission Statement

The Young Scholars Liberty Partnership Program is a multi-year program designed to motivate young students to stay in school, earn a New York State Regents Diploma with Advance Designation, and pursue post-secondary education.

Vision Statement

The anticipated goal will be to graduate 100 percent of each cohort with no drop outs; increase the number of students scoring 85 percent or more on Regents exams have 50 percent of YSLPP students earning Advance Regents Diplomas; and continue to place 80 percent or more of the student in college and keep them there.

History

Female Young Scholars Grads Former YSLPP students (L-R) Kimberly Clark (Johnson & Wales), Quyen Ha Vo (UC), and Anna Vasyukehnevic (Albany School of Pharmacy). Click on photo to enlarge.
The Young Scholars Program was initiated in Utica, New York, at a meeting between the Superintendent of Utica Schools and the President of Utica College. Few, if any, minority students were graduating from T.R. Proctor High school, and the two met to discuss the plight of these students.

After two years of developing and fine-tuning, the first cohort of Young Scholars students was selected. In the summer of 1993, these students attended enrichment classes at Utica College. During the 1994-95 school year, Young Scholars became part of the New York State supported Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP). [Young Scholars Liberty Partnerships Program is also referred to as YSLPP]

Still, T. R. Proctor High School was failing its students on all fronts: a high drop-out rate, a poor graduation rate, and a dismal attendance rate. The fact that the State Education Department (SED) placed Proctor on the Schools Under Registration Review (SURR) added to the seriousness of the problem. As the district worked to improve, the SED recognized YSLPP as a positive contribution to the school's removal from the SURR list.

What are the goals of the Young Scholars LPP?

Students in the Young Scholars LPP participate in a comprehensive program providing academic, social, and cultural enrichment.  It is the intent of the Young Scholars LPP to help students achieve academic success by maintaining a C average or better, earning a New York State Regents Diploma with the Advanced Designation and enrolling in post-secondary education.  The Young Scholars LPP also seeks to develop students' personal characteristics, making strong individuals who are invested in their community.

The goal of the YSLPP is not only to prevent high school dropout, but for students to earn Regents or Advanced Regents diplomas and to see college as a viable option.