Mission Statement
The mission of the Great Potential Program is to educate,
motivate and encourage students in our partner school
districts to achieve the highest possible levels of
personal and academic success. Great Potential is a
program of the Regional Partnership of Schools and Colleges
at Purchase College, State University of New York. Supported
by Liberty Partnerships Program, Great Potential provides
comprehensive academic services to prepare students
for high school graduation, post-secondary education
and the workforce.
Purpose
The Great Potential Program provides 12 months of
educational enrichment activities. Some of the activities
include: Tutoring, Homework Assistance, Mentoring, College
Tours, Career Exploration, College Placement, Cultural
Enrichment, Individual and Group Counseling and Community
Service.
Those Served
Currently in its 17th year, the 2004-2005
Great Potential Program provides services to nearly
300 junior and senior high school students in eight
(8) school districts throughout the County of Westchester,
New York. Participating districts are Greenburgh Central
SD#7, Mount Vernon City Schools, Ossining UFSD, Public
Schools of the Tarrytowns, White Plains City Schools,
New Rochelle City Schools, Peekskill City Schools and
Elmsford UFSD.
Goals
The “Great Potential Program” is committed
to broadening the range of collaborating organizations
in support of youth potentially in high risk
situations at each of our local sites. As the
demographics of Westchester County shift and as academic
standards for graduation in New York State increase,
strong community collaborations are essential if students
are to find the support and resources they need to succeed
in school.
In the districts it serves, the Great Potential Program
is an integral part of the support network for students.
The overall goals and objectives of the Great Potential
Program have remained constant over the past 17 years.
Who Are Great Potential’s Partners?
City of White Plains Youth Bureau, Cornell Cooperative
Extension, Education Transfer, Executive Office of Westchester
County, A Parent Solution, Junior Achievement Putnam/Westchester,
Mid Hudson Consortium (Pre-collegiate Programs), Teen
Life Associates, New York State Council on Economic
Education, J.P. Morgan Chase, Mount Vernon Day Care,
Westchester Community Opportunity Program, Westchester
Food Patch, Office of Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, Office
of Honorable James G. Pretlow, Office of Honorable Ruth
Hassell-Thompson, Ossining CAP, The First Tee of Metropolitan
New York.
Our Directors
 The
director of Great Potential is Gregoriann D. Rollins,
a graduate of Purchase College. Mary Beth Anderson is
director of the Regional Partnership of Schools and
Colleges. Donald Whitely is Chairman of the Great Potential
Advisory Board. Director of Special Projects for White
Plains City School District, George Hagans is Co-chairman.
Supporters
Regional Partnership of Schools and Colleges, Purchase
College, NYS Education Department: Liberty Partnership
Program, J.P. Morgan Chase, Westchester County and multiple
private donors.
Legislative Grants
The New York State Assembly Westchester County Majority
Delegation and New York State Department of Children
and Family Services.
Great Potential Successes
Great Potential continues to bring forth successful
program initiatives while maintaining cooperative relationships
within 8 school districts. As of June 2004, the program
had achieved a 98% graduation rate of all current seniors.
As of June 2004, 95% of all students were promoted to
the next grade level.
Great Potential Summer Academy
The Great Potential Program’s four-week summer
academy is held on the campus of Purchase College, State
University of New York and continues to provide significant
academic and cultural enrichment for as many as 40 enthusiastic
junior high school students. The Summer Academy is designed
to prepare 7th and 8th graders for some of the challenges
of life at the high school level. The highlights of
the Summer Academy include: peer college counselors
as role models; certified teaching staff in English
and Writing, Computer Science, Mathematics, Economics,
Theatre Arts, and Visual Arts; Recreational Activities;
Sports; and Enrichment Trips.
Learn
more about our Summer Academy
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