The Challenge:
Increase graduation rates and post secondary completion rates for Hispanic students.
What community challenge does Roseland University Prep address?
Gail Ahlas: Following national and state trends, our Hispanic/Latino community is the fastest growing ethnic group in Sonoma County. Their college enrollment and achievement rates are considerably lower than Anglo students. Therefore, increasing graduation rates and post secondary completion rates for our Hispanic students is critical in two fundamental ways.
Providing Hispanic/Latino young people a sound education is a simple issue of social justice, and it is vital for preparing our future workforce and sustaining our economic growth. At stake are Sonoma County’s competitive advantage and business/corporate survival. This is causing community and business leaders to pay close attention to the education of our future workforce, especially in the Hispanic/Latino community.
What makes RUP Unique in addressing this challenge?
Gail Ahlas: RUP was established to meet the educational needs of Roseland youngsters who were not succeeding to the extent possible.
In just eight years, RUP has achieved a near perfect graduation rate (98 percent) and 100 percent of our graduates leave high school ready and eligible for classes at Santa Rosa Junior College, the California State College system and the University of California as well as other private and out-of-state schools.
All our students, whether they are headed for college or not, leave RUP having completed all college preparatory course work. Each has a definite plan for continuing their education or, if they choose not to go to college, for learning a trade, entering the workforce or some other positive course of action.
What difference has RUP made in the lives of its students and their families?
Gail Ahlas: The big idea is to lift a community up from within. Education is the key. It is quickly becoming an expectation for RUP alumni’s younger brothers and sisters to graduate from high school and enter college. We are also already seeing our graduates coming back to the community to serve as tutors for students at Roseland Accelerated Middle School and our elementary schools. It will be a great day when we see alumni working as teachers, police officers, business people and someday superintendent!
How many students attend RUP?
Gail Ahlas: Currently there are about 380 amazing, hard working students attending RUP.
How did you help get RUP started?
Gail Ahlas: We started with Roseland Accelerated Middle School in 2001 with 60 seventh graders. The school grew very quickly to 300 students. High school seemed the next logical step, so in 2004 Amy Jones Kerr and I teamed as co-founders to open the doors of Roseland University Prep in an old converted warehouse on Sebastopol Road. We started with 80 ninth grade students. It was a dream, with a plan, that turned into a reality for hundreds of capable Roseland students!
What was the biggest catalyst to success for RUP?
Gail Ahlas: The staff is the heart and the passion behind the success. RUP is like a family. Staff serves both as teachers and mentors. Strong adult relationships make all of the difference for our students. Passionate, dedicated leadership coupled with strong community support – all are huge factors.
How can people help RUP?
Gail Ahlas: Community involvement at RUP has been a huge strength. Community members have tutored in our after-school program, provided internships for our students, contributed to our scholarship program, opens doors of opportunity in the community and much more. We welcome the community into RUP.
Is there anything else you would like to say about the program?
Gail Ahlas: Since opening RUP we have held a dream to build a permanent campus for our students with enough space for a library, computer lab, tutoring spaces, etc. We just received great news that we won a competitive construction grant that will enable us to begin creating our dream school!children, and initiate interactive play. AVANCE staff members make monthly home visits where parent-child interaction is observed and videotaped for discussion.
RUP By The Numbers
Next Steps in the Roseland School District: Through College Preparation for All Students!
After a year-long Roseland District Task Force of Preschool through 12th grade staff, as well as SRJC and SSU participants, a A Roseland School District Through College Action Plan was created.
Some of the 20 action items now implemented include:
- 55 dedicated Roseland staff members also serve as volunteer mentors, mentoring RUP students through their senior year and at least first year of college.
- Fourth through sixth graders participate in a “Young Scholars” program that teaches organizational skills and how to take class notes.
- A “College Roadmap” brochure is designed for parents, showing how they can support their child on the road from preschool through college graduation.
- All classes preschool through 12th grade “adopt” a college and investigate everything about the school including the mascot, the courses offered, etc. You may hear teachers excusing students to lunchtime with, “It looks like UC Berkley is ready for lunch!”
Graduation Rates: Class of 2009
Roseland School District
- Schoolwide: 98%
- Hispanic: 97%
California
- Schoolwide: 78.6%
- Hispanic: 76.1%
Read in print format. (PDF)
Community Champions is produced by the Marketing Department and the Celebrate Community Partners and does not involve The Press Democrat reporting staff.
Community Champion: GAIL AHLAS
The Challenge:
Increase graduation rates and post secondary completion rates for Hispanic students.
What community challenge does Roseland University Prep address?
Gail Ahlas: Following national and state trends, our Hispanic/Latino community is the fastest growing ethnic group in Sonoma County. Their college enrollment and achievement rates are considerably lower than Anglo students. Therefore, increasing graduation rates and post secondary completion rates for our Hispanic students is critical in two fundamental ways.
Providing Hispanic/Latino young people a sound education is a simple issue of social justice, and it is vital for preparing our future workforce and sustaining our economic growth. At stake are Sonoma County’s competitive advantage and business/corporate survival. This is causing community and business leaders to pay close attention to the education of our future workforce, especially in the Hispanic/Latino community.
What makes RUP Unique in addressing this challenge?
Gail Ahlas: RUP was established to meet the educational needs of Roseland youngsters who were not succeeding to the extent possible.
In just eight years, RUP has achieved a near perfect graduation rate (98 percent) and 100 percent of our graduates leave high school ready and eligible for classes at Santa Rosa Junior College, the California State College system and the University of California as well as other private and out-of-state schools.
All our students, whether they are headed for college or not, leave RUP having completed all college preparatory course work. Each has a definite plan for continuing their education or, if they choose not to go to college, for learning a trade, entering the workforce or some other positive course of action.
What difference has RUP made in the lives of its students and their families?
Gail Ahlas: The big idea is to lift a community up from within. Education is the key. It is quickly becoming an expectation for RUP alumni’s younger brothers and sisters to graduate from high school and enter college. We are also already seeing our graduates coming back to the community to serve as tutors for students at Roseland Accelerated Middle School and our elementary schools. It will be a great day when we see alumni working as teachers, police officers, business people and someday superintendent!
How many students attend RUP?
Gail Ahlas: Currently there are about 380 amazing, hard working students attending RUP.
How did you help get RUP started?
Gail Ahlas: We started with Roseland Accelerated Middle School in 2001 with 60 seventh graders. The school grew very quickly to 300 students. High school seemed the next logical step, so in 2004 Amy Jones Kerr and I teamed as co-founders to open the doors of Roseland University Prep in an old converted warehouse on Sebastopol Road. We started with 80 ninth grade students. It was a dream, with a plan, that turned into a reality for hundreds of capable Roseland students!
What was the biggest catalyst to success for RUP?
Gail Ahlas: The staff is the heart and the passion behind the success. RUP is like a family. Staff serves both as teachers and mentors. Strong adult relationships make all of the difference for our students. Passionate, dedicated leadership coupled with strong community support – all are huge factors.
How can people help RUP?
Gail Ahlas: Community involvement at RUP has been a huge strength. Community members have tutored in our after-school program, provided internships for our students, contributed to our scholarship program, opens doors of opportunity in the community and much more. We welcome the community into RUP.
Is there anything else you would like to say about the program?
Gail Ahlas: Since opening RUP we have held a dream to build a permanent campus for our students with enough space for a library, computer lab, tutoring spaces, etc. We just received great news that we won a competitive construction grant that will enable us to begin creating our dream school!children, and initiate interactive play. AVANCE staff members make monthly home visits where parent-child interaction is observed and videotaped for discussion.
RUP By The Numbers
Next Steps in the Roseland School District: Through College Preparation for All Students!
After a year-long Roseland District Task Force of Preschool through 12th grade staff, as well as SRJC and SSU participants, a A Roseland School District Through College Action Plan was created.
Some of the 20 action items now implemented include:
Graduation Rates: Class of 2009
Roseland School District
California
Read in print format. (PDF)
Community Champions is produced by the Marketing Department and the Celebrate Community Partners and does not involve The Press Democrat reporting staff.