Hundreds of Delaware Students to Spend Spring Break Preparing for College Through Statewide Bootcamp
TeenSHARP and the Delaware Department of Education lead statewide effort to expand access and affordability; Governor Matt Meyer to address students
Wilmington, Del. — As families across the country grapple with rising college costs, shifting admissions expectations, and growing uncertainty about how to access higher education, Delaware is taking action.
Hundreds of Delaware high school students will spend their spring break engaging in rigorous college preparation and leadership development through the Delaware Goes to College Academy Bootcamp (DGCA), a free statewide program made possible through a unique partnership between TeenSHARP and the Delaware Department of Education.
More than a college prep program, DGCA serves as one of Delaware’s most powerful youth leadership convenings, bringing together students from across the state from April 6–10 for an intensive virtual experience that blends rigorous college preparation with leadership development.
Throughout the week, students learn to navigate an increasingly complex admissions landscape, maximize financial aid, strengthen their academic profiles, and build clear pathways to their future, while also gaining the tools and blueprint to lead, serve their communities, and help shape a stronger Delaware.
Programs like DGCA are becoming increasingly important as Delaware works to strengthen student achievement, expand pathways to opportunity, and create a globally competitive workforce.
“Every year, students commit to more than 25 hours of intensive learning, push past their limits, and emerge better prepared to navigate the college admissions process,” said Sara Petty, Senior Director of Pre-College Programs and Learning at TeenSHARP. “The results speak for themselves. DGCA alumni are now thriving at top institutions including Princeton University, Pomona College, Howard University, Tufts University, Cornell University, and Yale University with remarkable financial aid packages.”
During the week, students will participate in interactive workshops including:
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 gaps and chart their course toward their dream schools.
College Connections: Students meet virtually with representatives from colleges and universities to explore their options.
Reflecting on last year’s DGCA experience, Farida Momodu, MOT Charter High School student, said the program helped her rethink her academic plans. “One session that really stuck with me was the college admissions panel. I got to hear from current college students about their application journeys and everything that came with it,” Momodu said. “Listening to their stories made me realize that attending a top college is actually possible. It made the college process feel less intimidating and gave me the confidence to believe that college isn’t just a dream. It is something I can achieve.”
That shift in mindset quickly turned into action.
“Since the Bootcamp, I have already made changes based on what I learned,” she said. “I found out how important course rigor is to colleges, so I reached out to my counselor and changed my class schedule. Now I will be taking three AP classes next year.”
Governor Matt Meyer will address students during the bootcamp, underscoring the state’s commitment to expanding college preparation and leadership opportunities for Delaware students.
That commitment is reflected in the state’s broader effort to ensure every student has access to rigorous academic pathways and the support needed to succeed beyond high school.
We have a responsibility to get this right for students. Every student should be challenged, supported, and prepared for what comes next. Our job is to clear the path, not create barriers,” Secretary of Education Cindy Marten said. “The Delaware Goes to College Academy is what that looks like. Students are taking on rigorous coursework, strengthening their academic pathways, and building a real plan for college and beyond.”
DGCA is free and open to Delaware high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. Applications are now open and space is limited. Interested students can apply at:
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 pursue a four-year college education, with 95 percent admitted to the nation’s most selective colleges and the majority graduating with $15,000 or less in student loan debt.
