July 29, 2010 14:36 ET

Low-Income High School Students Take Off for Life-Changing Educational Experiences Through Summer Search Mentoring Program

Mentoring, Summer Experiences, Internships Are Key Turning Points for Disadvantaged Youth

SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwire - July 29, 2010) -  Eighty-two low-income, high potential high school juniors and seniors participating in Summer Search Silicon Valley are taking off for intensive summer leadership programs in places ranging from Alaska to Tanzania.

"Summer Search students will have life-changing experiences," said Carlin Politzer, executive director of Summer Search Silicon Valley. "They'll discover that they can overcome fears and accomplish more than they thought possible. The summer experiential leadership program isn't a vacation, it opens students' eyes to what they can do and become and, as we've seen over the years, is the first step toward achieving their dreams." 

Additionally, this spring 46 Summer Search Silicon Valley seniors graduated from 18 different high schools and all will be attending college in the fall -- most of them the first in their families to do so. And, four Summer Search Silicon Valley students now in college returned to the Silicon Valley area for internships with companies such as Myer Architectural Design and Public Advocates.

Summer experiences last three to six weeks and are possible due to donations from community supporters and in-kind scholarships from over 40 participating programs, including Outward Bound, National Outdoor Leadership Schools, Global Leadership Adventures and American Field Service.

• 156 students have participated in Summer Search Silicon Valley since its 2005 start in San Jose and over 95% of the seniors have graduated, compared to just 61% of their peers.

• More than 96% of these high school graduates went on to college, compared to 33% of their peers.

Summer Search provides underprivileged students long-term support, including mentoring with trained staff, summer experiential programs, access to college and financial aid counseling, a peer support network, and professional development. Students are selected for participation during their sophomore year based on financial need and potential. Summer Search also has programs in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco (where it was founded 20 years ago), San Francisco North Bay (Petaluma) and Seattle. For additional information visit www.summersearch.org