Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation Awards Grant to CFS

The transition from high school to college can be difficult. Nationally, the percentage of male students who graduate in six years or less is 56%. When you add a challenging financial situation into that mix, the college persistence rate for young men drops considerably. With these statistics in mind, Church Farm School developed the Alumni Success Program, which supports recent graduates as they navigate their college careers. Church Farm School was recently awarded a $100,000 grant through Oprah Winfrey’s Charitable Foundation for this work, which will provide critical funding for three years. The school’s Alumni Success team maintains connections with 200 graduates quarterly and provides support, mentorship and guidance to help keep them on track. The program was launched in 2016 with seed funding from the Hamilton Family Foundation, the Church of the Redeemer and the Charter Foundation, and is already making a verifiable difference.

“One hundred percent of our graduates are matriculating to esteemed colleges and universities each year, but many are the first in their families to go to college, or are facing other challenges and setbacks. We’ve found that maintaining connections with our alumni plays a critical role in their persistence; whether assisting with course selections, giving advice about managing student-professor relationships or just offering a listening ear when they are homesick. We are extremely grateful to the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation for recognizing the important role our Alumni Success Program plays in the future success of Church Farm School’s amazing young men,” says Tiffany Scott, Church Farm School Director of College Guidance.

About Church Farm School

Located in Exton, the Church Farm School is an Episcopal boarding and day school for approximately 190 boys in grades 9 through 12. Students participate in a rigorous college preparatory curriculum as well as comprehensive athletics and arts programs. More than 90% of students receive generous financial aid from the school, and all graduates are accepted at competitive colleges and universities, including Yale, Brown, Williams, Johns Hopkins and other esteemed schools. Learn more at www.gocfs.net.