Programs & Services

College Peer Advisors/Tutoring at School Site

Cal-SOAP currently has 12 tutors at 12 consortium high schools. Tutors are usually from backgrounds similar to those of the targeted high school students and they understand the challenges they face. Tutors meet with students in classrooms or a college/career center and provide academic tutoring or college advisement. They encourage students to be academically successful and to set realistic goals for pursuing higher education. Tutors are supervised by Site Coordinators, usually a high school counselor or other administrator, and overseen by the Cal-SOAP Field Advisor.

I'm Going to College!

This program serves approximately 400 fourth graders from rural elementary schools that feed into Cal-SOAP high schools. This semester-long program introduces the idea of college to children that do not have families and communities that cultivate the idea of someday attending college. Teachers and students are given workbooks that include college and financial aid activity worksheets that are aimed at getting the students to think about their futures. Cal-SOAP staff make monthly visits to the schools to deliver presentations about the importance of college as well as the differing college and financial aid systems. The highlight of the program is an early spring field trip to California State University Bakersfield where the participants get to be honorary college students for a day. They are issued mock financial aid checks that turn in to receive backpacks, books and other schools supplies. The students attend classes taught by real college professors in subjects such as Math, Science, Art, English, and Physical Education. Lunch is normally provided for all students attending this event.

College: Making It Happen!

This is the major college event offered to Kern County middle school & high school students and their families. It occurs annually in the spring at a college. The goal of this program is to communicate the importance of early academic preparation and financial planning. Workshops are offered for students and parents on the four systems of higher education, financial aid, A-G requirements, study skills, and college life. There is also a college and career resource fair with lunch provided. Past participation has ranged from 3,000 attendees hosted by California State University, Bakersfield.

Transfer: Making It Happen!

This program is to provide college and transfer information to high school and community college students that will assist in their academic and financial planning and preparation for educational opportunities after graduation or during their transition from a community college to a four-year educational institution.

The goal of this program is to provide high school students and parents with the necessary tools and information to actively pursue post-secondary education, to provide community college students with the necessary tools and information to transfer to four-year educational institution, and to provide mentoring and advisement through ongoing meetings with College Peer Advisor

Career Technical Education

Career & Technical Education (CTE) provides opportunities for individuals to receive training and prepare for careers in a variety of occupational fields. CTE courses also allow individuals already working to upgrade their skills in order to continually meet business and industry standards. From most CTE training schools, a certificate of achievement or completion (CA, CC) may be awarded or an associates degree (AA, AS) may be attained. CTE programs generally take two (2) years or less to complete.