NORTH BAY BUSINESS JOURNAL EVENT

Best Places to Work 2008 Awards Reception

September 25, 2008, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Doubletree Hotel, Rohnert Park

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College promise is kept; 30 go to Algebra Academy

There are many notable education efforts under way both public and private in the North Bay. But two in Sonoma County are of particular note.

No. 1 is the inaugural graduating class from Roseland University Prep charter high school in Santa Rosa.

Incredibly, nearly every one in the largely Latino first graduating class of 64 are going on to a four-year university, junior college or other education program to continue their pursuit of knowledge.

A handful of grads are headed to University of California and CSU campuses outside Sonoma County. About 30 are enrolled in fall classes at Sonoma State University, fulfilling the promise of SSU President Ruben Armiñana that any Roseland student who met the college’s entrance requirements would have a seat.

It’s a win-win for both students – some of whom are the first in their families to finish high school or to attend college – and for SSU’s efforts to be a more diverse campus.

Another 24 are listed on the graduation day program as attending Santa Rosa Junior College.

SSU’s Dr. Armiñana told the graduating students May 31 he looks forward to presenting them another diploma in 2012. The Business Journal looks forward to that day and following them as they continue their educational journey.

The second program deserving recognition is the ongoing three-week summer Algebra Academy, a partnership between the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, three of Sonoma County’s most prominent technology companies and the Sonoma County Office of Education.

Thirty English-learner students are getting one week each of algebra instruction at Agilent Technologies, Medtronic CardioVascular and JDS Uniphase, all in Santa Rosa.

The creators of the program hope more students can be enrolled next year and that it can be expanded to other subjects in math and science.

They’ve made an excellent start.



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