Page 33 - New York Statewide Smart Scholars Overview and Profiles

“My child is a completely different student and individual since he’s been in the Smart Scholars
program.” This is one of the echoing themes of our ECHS parents as it relates to their
child(ren)’s development within the program. The success of the program is derived from
tireless efforts of the committed team (students, parents/guardians, administrators, teachers,
professors, counselors, and community members/partners). Successful students and
outcomes begin with a level of high expectations, encouragement, collective support, and
accountability.

The program provides more than an opportunity for students to earn 24 or more college credits;
it provides a basis for belief in their ability to achieve any goal they pursue. Many students are
challenged by the workload and stamina required for various courses and programs. Our
approach of developing resilience and self-efficacy will serve the youth long after they complete
the program. It is worth noting the impact of the program on student outcomes below:

 For the Class of 2015, 18 of 25 have completed graduation requirements one year
early

 High school attendance for all cohorts has been an average of 94% over the past
four years

Regents Pass Rates 96.8% by the end of 9th grade
Integrated Algebra 88.2% by the end of 9th grade
Living Environment 82% by the end of 9th grade
US History 87% by the end of 10th grade
Global History 96% by the end of 11th grade
ELA

One of our marquee programs is the LIU-Brooklyn “Discovery Day”. Discovery Day provides
participants with an environment that encourages conversations within and across disciplines,
and schools. The lively discussions sparked at this event help foster ongoing learning and
creativity at LIU Brooklyn and within surrounding communities. Specifically, our 9th-12th graders
develop poster presentations that are based on their respective grade level texts. The students
read the books, identify themes, and develop researchable topics. Finally, they conduct
research and present their findings in the same arena as undergraduate and graduate students
of LIU. This extraordinarily challenging undertaking provides students with an appreciation of a
“learning community” and the various skills they develop in the process.

Top Left: New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio
visits BGHS; Top Right: ECHS student earns
$10,000 scholarship from Nordstrom;
Bottom: Smart Scholars College visit Harvard
University".

You can read more at our website:
http://www.liu.edu/Brooklyn/Community-and-
Culture/Smart-Scholars