The Carson City Schools Foundation is asking community donors to help “Sponsor a Student” for the Jump Start College program. From now through July 31, the foundation is looking for community sponsorships to help pay for student’s cost of textbooks and materials for the upcoming school year. The Jump Start College program is a dual-enrollment opportunity for high school students to experience college courses and earn college credit through Western Nevada College. Jump Start College participants are able to complete up to 60 college credits, often earning them an associate’s degree as they earn their high school diploma simultaneously. Jump Start students could save nearly two years’ worth of time and money in college tuition. Last year, the fundraising campaign raised nearly $17,000 for students, exceeding their initial goal of $12,500. The approximate cost for Jump Start College materials for 150 students is expected to be $24,000 or $160 per student. If the foundation is successful in exceeding its fundraising goal, all additional funds will be applied to future Jump Start costs or mini grant scholarships. The grant funding for the joint program with WNC ended 2021. Last year, the Carson City School District continued to support the program through the Distributive Student Account as part of its commitment to College and Career Ready curriculum, but the support did not include the cost of books and materials. The district plans to do the same again this year. For its efforts last year, the foundation received thank-you cards from many students with kind notes and several origami-folded swans. “Thank you! I appreciated this because it means so much for me and my education,” read a thank-you card last year from Nora Nunez, a Jump Start student from Pioneer High School. “This gives me the opportunity to be successful and opens more doors for me.” For more information about the CCSF, visit ccschoolsfoundation.org.
