Hundreds of Delaware High School Students to Spend Spring Break Preparing for College Hundreds of Delaware High School Students to Spend Spring Break Preparing for College
TeenSHARP and the Delaware Department of Education team up again to offer a week-long supercharged college readiness bootcamp for high school students; Governor Matt Meyer to address students during the program
Wilmington, Del.— From April 21st to April 25th, TeenSHARP and the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) will bring together hundreds of students virtually for the Delaware Goes to College Academy (DGCA) Bootcamp—a weeklong, intensive college prep experience designed to equip students with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to pursue higher education.
Now in its ninth year, hundreds of students have already signed up for the free, virtual DGCA Bootcamp. This interactive program empowers freshmen, sophomores, and juniors across Delaware to build strong academic habits, prepare for college admissions, and secure top financial aid.
Last year, more than 350 students participated, along with nearly 200 parents who joined the evening sessions tailored for families. This year, TeenSHARP is building on that momentum, delivering a rigorous, engaging program that has served as a launching pad for students now attending some of the nation’s most selective institutions, including Princeton University, Pomona College, Tufts University, Cornell University, and Yale University.
“The DGCA Bootcamp is an extraordinary opportunity for students to take charge of their college journey,” says TeenSHARP Co-Founder and CEO, Atnre Alleyne. “Every year, students commit to more than 25 hours of learning, push past their limits, and emerge more prepared to navigate the admissions process. The results speak for themselves—our past participants are thriving at top colleges with incredible financial aid packages.”
The DGCA Bootcamp equips students with:
College Admissions and Financial Aid 101: Students gain a clear understanding of the application process and how to navigate financial aid opportunities.
Academic and Personal Assessment: Students evaluate their academic standing, course rigor, and leadership potential to create a personalized plan for success.
Crafting Your College Path: Students develop a roadmap to address any gaps and chart their course towards their dream schools.
College Connections: Participants have virtual meetings with representatives from colleges to explore their options.
“We are excited to partner with these students as they make an invaluable investment in their futures,” says Sara Petty, Director of Pre-College Success. “With TeenSHARP’s support and guidance, they will leave this bootcamp with a clear understanding of how the college admissions process works and how they can have an edge, meet representatives from a variety of top colleges and universities, assess their college readiness and create a plan to make the most of their high school years. Most importantly, they will gain an ongoing support network dedicated to their success.”
Smyrna High School senior Ana Paula Rodriguez is a 2024 DGCA alum who was accepted Early Decision into Boston University with an excellent financial aid package. Reflecting on the experience, Ana shared: “When I entered the first meeting, I felt really lost,” but “now I know what I have to do in order to get where I want.”
Governor Matt Meyer who spoke at last year’s DGCA Bootcamp will once again address students, offering encouragement and insight on the importance of higher education. “I’m excited to join this year’s Delaware Goes to College Academy and speak directly with the incredible students investing in their futures,” says Governor Meyer. “Thanks to the powerful partnership between TeenSHARP and the Delaware Department of Education, DGCA continues to expand access to top college opportunities for students across our state. When we invest in rigorous, high-impact learning experiences like this, we’re building a pipeline of bold, prepared, and college-ready leaders who will shape our communities for the better.”
DGCA is completely free and open to all Delaware high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors with a 3.0 or higher GPA.
The program is sponsored in part by the Delaware Department of Education and by the WSFS Foundation and the Laffey-McHugh Foundation.
For more information, families can visit the Delaware Student Success DGCA website: https://www.delawarestudentsuccess.org/delaware-goes-to-college-academy/
About TeenSHARP
TeenSHARP is a national nonprofit headquartered in Delaware that prepares Black, Latino, and low-income students to attend and thrive at America’s top colleges with little or no debt. Year after year, 100 percent of TeenSHARP scholars successfully pursue a 4-year college education, with 95 percent admitted to the most selective colleges; and the majority graduating with $15,000 or less in college debt. TeenSHARP’s mission is in service of a bold vision that, one day, the diversity of our country’s top jobs and most influential leadership positions will reflect the country’s rich diversity.
