Studies show:

• Only about one in 10 low-income students can expect to earn a bachelor’s degree by age 26
  
  
• Financial barriers prevent nearly half of college-qualified, low-income high school graduates from attending a four-year college, and 22 percent from attending any college at all, within two years of graduation
  
  
• In 2004, the typical full-time worker with a four-year college degree earned about $19,000 more annually than a full-time worker with just a high school diploma

In June 2001, William H. Gates Sr., foundation co-chair, announced the creation of the Washington State Achievers to work with high schools serving large, low-income populations. The initiative has three primary components: high school redesign, early college awareness, and scholarships.

In May 2006, at Foster High School in Tukwila, Gates was on stage once again with scholarship recipients and local representatives, this time to celebrate the individual lives and communities the program has reached during the past five years.

Under the guidance of the College Success Foundation (formerly the Washington Education Foundation), the Achievers program has redesigned 16 partner schools statewide and awarded 2,500 scholarships to low-income students who demonstrate great potential and a commitment to continuing their education.

Reason to Celebrate – Five Years of Progress
Following two years of planning, most of the 16 Achievers high schools "re-opened" in the fall of 2003. Since then, as a group, the Achievers schools have seen increases in:

• The number of students enrolled in college prep classes
  
  
• The number of college prep courses offered
  
  
• The percentage of students passing Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) reading and math exams
  
  
• College awareness levels and college-going culture among all student groups
  
  
• The number of graduating students meeting course requirements for admission to a Washington state four-year college
  
  
• Teacher empowerment, creating a strong academic culture within schools

The effects on individual students' lives have been equally phenomenal. Since the program launch:

• 20 percent of all graduates from the 16 high schools have been named Achievers scholars over the past five years (representing 2,500 low-income students)
  
  
• 73 percent of students in the most recent class enrolled in a four-year college upon graduation
  
  
• 80 percent of all students were still enrolled in college three years after high school

A $4.3 million grant continues support for school redesign work, so all high school students, not just Achievers scholars, can graduate prepared for college, work, and citizenship.

For more information on the Achievers program and scholarships, including eligibility, application information, frequently asked questions, and more, visit the Washington State Achievers Web site.