Sponsored by:
For a group of middle school students from Future Ready school districts Edgewood ISD (EISD), Northside ISD (NISD), San Antonio ISD (SAISD) and Southwest ISD (SWISD), spring break wasn’t just a time to relax — it was an opportunity that both they and their parents took to explore and invest in their futures. Hosted by San Antonio Education Partnership (SAEP), the “Ready, Set, College!” spring break camp held at cafécollege provided eighth grade students with a head start on their college journeys.
Understanding that early preparation is key to postsecondary success, SAEP designed a three-day camp to introduce students to college and career planning before they even step into high school. SAEP will host another one-day “Ready, Set, College!” workshop on April 26. Learn more and register here.
It’s never too early to start thinking about your future
This kind of early exposure doesn’t happen without support at home. Parents play a critical role in helping students show up, stay engaged and see college as a real possibility.
Janie, whose son James, an SAISD student who attended the camp, is the first generation in her family to graduate from high school and college.
When discussing her desire for James to continue on his educational pathway, she shared, “I wanted James to have this experience of college readiness, something that I didn’t have as a young adult… it was important for him to have information on different resources, scholarships [and] opportunities that are out there.”
Nora, a Spanish-speaking mother of Edgewood ISD student Angeles, understood the importance of her daughter attending the camp. In a translated interview, she said she wanted Angeles to participate so she could see the expanding horizons and opportunities available to her — as a young Hispanic student — through college, a degree and a professional career.
The camp was funded by the generous contributions of the Greater Texas Foundation through advising pilot grants that reach middle school-aged students. This initiative is aligned to the Future Ready Bexar County Plan, a community-wide strategic initiative that aims to increase postsecondary degree or credential program enrollment to 70% by 2030. Local nonprofit UP Partnership serves as the lead convener of this plan by bringing together education, business and community leaders to ensure that all students have access to the resources and opportunities needed to succeed.
Addressing challenges to higher education
For many students and families, navigating higher education can be overwhelming. Admissions requirements, academic planning and financial aid often feel daunting, especially for first-generation college-goers. Early exposure helps demystify these complexities, equipping students with the knowledge and confidence needed to pursue and complete a degree or credential.
One of the camp’s key goals was to introduce students to these concepts early, helping them set meaningful goals that would make their transition to higher education smoother and more attainable.
Inside the camp experience
Through interactive workshops and hands-on activities, students explored key aspects of college readiness. They learned about high school expectations and the significance of understanding graduation plans and academic pathways.
Students also gained insight into different college options, the admissions process and the role of financial aid and scholarships in making higher education accessible.
The camp also introduced them to career pathways, helping students connect their interests to potential opportunities.
While classroom-based activities laid the foundation for college readiness, nothing compared to the excitement of stepping onto an actual college campus. Students toured the University of Texas at San Antonio and Texas A&M University-San Antonio, where they explored campus life and interacted with college students.
Priya, a student in SAISD, shared her excitement about the visits and how she enjoyed “seeing the different vibes on the campuses.”
For some, the camp sparked new career interests.
Yareli, another student in SAISD, shared her newfound direction. “[This camp] helped me find out that I like engineering, more specifically aviation with airplanes and mechanics,” she said.
When talking about her long-term aspirations, she hopes “[to be] successful and just have a great standing in life. And to have people view me as a leader and someone they can rely on and work with.”
Building a future-ready community
As a Future Ready Partner, SAEP is dedicated to increasing access to college and career opportunities by providing free college advising to youth and adults, guiding them on their path to higher education. They partner directly with local high schools and through cafécollege, a centrally located one-stop shop for all things college. Cafécollege is supported by the City of San Antonio, where both parents and students alike can get valuable advising for their futures.
Additionally, SAEP awards $2.1 million in renewable scholarships each year to more than 3,000 local college students and provides scholarship recipients support to help them persist through college and successfully complete their degrees. SAEP firmly believes that education is not just a personal achievement — it is a catalyst for a stronger, more vibrant San Antonio.
For more information about San Antonio Education Partnership and to learn about future events, visit saedpartnership.org.
