ACI's Rockford College Readiness Program

Asheley Simmons has been designated as the Coordinator of the College Readiness Program. The program is aimed at minority, low-income, first generation college students, in addition to Rotary Academy graduates as they prepare for higher education.

The focus of this years events revolves around the theme, “Defining Moments."  Each event is related to this theme through non-fiction and fiction for young adults that explore the pivotal moments faced during our lives. ACI teens will examine the defining moments in the context of friends, family, culture, school and politics. These explorations will allow high school students to consider the role and importance of such activities as goal setting, problem solving and interpersonal skills, while enhancing their skill in reading and developing specific skills in oral and written communication and technology that are applicable to retention in high school, graduation from high school and admission to college.

Parents are cordially invited to attend all of the conferences, however, several sessions will be scheduled just for parents. Additionally, parents are invited to read our literature and engage their students in discussion.

If you are interested in assisting with the program or facilitating an event, please contact Coordinator Asheley Simmons at:

Upcoming Events

June/July, 2006 Summer Academy

Rockford Novel: The Teenager’s Guide To School Outside The Box by Rebecca Green
and Necessary Noise: Stories About Our Family As They Really Are by Michael Cart and Charlotte Noruzi

July/August Summer Outing (To Be Announced)

Sept. 16, 2006 Saturday Event Rockford College

Interactive Speaker Panel: Focus on Education As A Major and Career Field
Novel: Necessary Noise: Stories About Our Family As They Really Are by Michael Cart and Charlotte Noruzi
Workshops: Freshman: Setting the Stage For High School Success: What is a 4-year plan?
Sophomores: Building Strategies for the ACT: English
Junior: Getting into college: The Admissions Process
Coaching: Freshman: Write a 4-year plan; Commitment to Success pledge; goal-setting
Sophomores: Review 4 year plan & goals; ACT math prep
Junior: SSFI; Review 4 year plan & goals
Parent Seminars: ACI Introduction
PrepHQ Electronic Portfolio

Oct. 14, 2006 Saturday Event

Interactive Speaker Panel: Focus on The Arts
Novel: Parrot In The Oven: Mi Vida by Victor Martinez and Steve Scott
Workshops: Freshman: Study Skills: Reading Smart (Non Fiction)/ Testing Smart
Sophomores: Building Strategies for the ACT: English Review and Practice Test
Juniors: Getting INTO College: The SAT
Coaching: Freshman: Mangrum-Strichart assessment; develop goals
Sophomores: ACT math prep
Junior: Ideal College self-assessment; SAT tips

Nov. 11, 2006 Saturday Event

Interactive Speaker Panel: Focus on Religion and Service
Novel: Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen
Workshops: Freshman: Study Skills—Managing Your Study Time
Sophomores: Overview & Strategies for the ACT Math Sub-Test, part 1
Juniors: Choosing A college: Understanding measures of success for colleges- retention, graduation, employment, diversity and safety
Coaching: Freshman: Term, weekly and daily organizers; My study skills worksheet
Sophomores: ACT English prep
Junior: My College Preferences

Dec. 9, 2006 Saturday Event

Interactive Speaker Panel: Focus on Journalism and English
Novel: Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher
Workshops: Freshman: Study skills—Reading Textbooks
Sophomores: Overview & Strategies for the ACT Math Sub-Test, part 2
Juniors: Choosing A College: What is a liberal arts education?
Seniors: Preparing for the FAFSA, Reading Your Financial Award & Letter and Keeping Your Financial Aid Package
Coaching: Freshman: Mangrum-Strichart Activities 3-1 to 3-5
Sophomores: ACT English prep
Junior: College Research
Seniors: Scholarship & admissions applications

Jan. 27, 2007 Saturday Event

Interactive Speaker Panel: Focus On Political Science, Law and Government
Novel: Night by Elie Wiesel
Workshops: Freshman: Study Skills—Taking Notes
Sophomores: Overview & Strategies for the ACT Reading Sub-Test
Juniors: Choosing A Major
Coaching: Freshman: Mangrum-Strichart Activities
Sophomores: ACT reading prep
Junior: College Research
Parents: Completing the FAFSA
Understanding the Financial Award Letter
Scholarship Searches and Scams
The Prep HQ Portfolio

Feb. 10, 2007 Saturday Event

Interactive Speaker Panel: Focus on Science, Medicine and Math
Novel: Stuck In Neutral by Terry Trueman
Workshops: Freshman: Study Skills—Preparing For and Taking Tests
Sophomores: Overview & Strategies for the ACT Science Reasoning Sub-Test
Juniors: Interviewing Skills
Coaching: Freshman: Mangrum-Strichart Activities
Sophomores: ACT science reasoning prep
Junior: Interviewing skills

March 10, 2007 Saturday Event

Interactive Speaker Panel: Focus on International Studies and Foreign Language
Novel: Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah
Workshops: Freshman: Exploring The Financial Benefits of College
Sophomores: Overview & Strategies For The SAT
Juniors: Letters of Recommendation
Coaching: Freshman: Why Should I Stay in School excercise
Sophomores: ACT science reasoning prep
Junior: Planning for letters of recommendation
Parents: The PrepHQ Portfolio
Parenting Independence/Parenting a College Student
Surfing The Web with Ethics and Values

April 14, 2007 Saturday Event

Interactive Speaker Panel: Focus on Business and Entrepreneurship
Novel: The Body of Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci
Workshops: Freshman: Career Inventory
Sophomores: Exploring Types & Styles of Colleges
Juniors: How to Write A Great Personal Statement
Coaching: Freshman: Why Should I Stay in School excercise
Sophomores: College Planner
Junior: Writing Personal Statements

May 5, 2007 Saturday Event

Interactive Speaker Panel: Focus on Leadership, Ethics & Philosophy
Novel: The Watsons Go To Birmingham--1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
Workshops: Freshman: Career Interest Exploration—Learning About Careers
Sophomores: Exploring Types of Colleges Degrees
Juniors: Dos & Don’ts of College Applications
Coaching: Freshman: What’s needed for what the career I’d like to have?
Sophomores: Ideal College Self-assessment
Junior: Writing Admissions Applications

June/July 2007 Summer Academy Rockford College

Novels: Lost In The City by Edward P. Jones and Red Kayak by Priscilla Cummings