Educate South

Exposure

The exposure phase seeks to introduce families and their children – from the time they are newborns – to a college-going mindset and establish an affiliation with higher education.

Educate South seeks to ensure that our community is exposed to higher education and comfortable with the idea of being on a college campus.

The exposure phase also connects with pre-school and elementary-aged children through initiatives such as newborn connection and adopt-a-school, and also exposes children to a college campus through family-oriented events, like Palomino Pumpkin Patch, Eggstravaganza, and PACfest.

• Newborn connection
• Adopt-a-School
• Palomino Pumpkin Patch
• Winter Wonderland
• Eggstravaganza
• PACfest

Exploration

This phase helps children become familiar with the many opportunities and resources available in college. This progress will occur throughout a student’s K-12 experience and provides opportunities for a deeper level of engagement.

Students in elementary through high school can participate in Palo Alto College Summer Programs and CORE4 STEM Family Day which expose students to the fine arts and STEM opportunities at the College.

As students advance into high school, they can explore high-wage, high-demand careers through endorsement paths that align with Alamo Institutes. Students can also participate in TRIO programs, which prepare high school students to be college-ready by high school graduation.

• Summer Camps
• CORE4 STEM
• Endorsement paths
• TRIO programs
• Discover PAC

Experience

The experience phase encompasses early access to college education and students’ transitions after graduation.

By providing early access, high school students can get firsthand college experience by participating in college credit-bearing courses. This is accomplished through the Dual Credit program (up to 42 credit hours) and Early College High Schools, through which students can obtain an associate degree while still in high school.

To support students’ transition to college, high school students can participate in College Connection, which helps students navigate the Palo Alto College enrollment process. Many high school graduates from south San Antonio and Bexar County may also be eligible for the AlamoPROMISE program which provides two years of no-cost college tuition.

• Dual Credit
• Early CollegeHigh School
• AlamoPROMISE
• Experiential Learning