For 30 inaugural Brown Collegiate Scholars, a successful summer starts a four-year journey

Nick Figueroa, director of the Brown Collegiate Scholars Program, said the focus this summer was on building relationships and creating a supportive learning environment.

"Our goal in these initial weeks is to cultivate a welcoming and supportive community where students feel both inspired and challenged," Figueroa said. "We do this by creating new learning opportunities, from academic enrichment to fun team-building exercises, that foster strong peer connections and meaningful mentor relationships, all of which will serve as the foundation for the next four years. We also want our students to leave this summer with a strong sense of self and confidence, ready to excel in high school and beyond."

A four-year journey toward college success

On campus this summer, the scholars got a head start on high school coursework by taking English and math classes. PPSD teachers led the academic classes to align with the district's common core standards, assisted by Brown students from the University's master of arts in teaching program. In English, students deepened literacy and critical thinking skills through in-depth text analysis, including Trevor Noah's "Born a Crime." Math focused on building a strong foundation in linear, quadratic and exponential functions in preparation for Algebra I or II.

The four-week curriculum also incorporated social-emotional learning, identity exploration and leadership development. In one session, for example, students delivered impromptu speeches on a topic of their choice, honing their ability to think critically under pressure and communicate effectively with an audience.

As a parent, Jessica Watson is excited about the Brown Collegiate Scholars Program, appreciating its focus on encouraging both personal and academic growth. Her son, Francisco Brouillette, who will attend Classical High School this fall, applied after learning about the program at an information session at his middle school.

"I felt strongly when he was applying that the program would offer not only strong support for both academics and the college application process, but would also give Francisco the confidence and social-emotional skills necessary to make the most of his high school and college experiences, both academically and socially," Watson said. "It's important to me that he participates in and contributes to his community while pursuing his studies. I feel that the program provides a structure to support this kind of well-rounded development."

As part of the summer programming, students attended weekly sessions focused on cultivating social-emotional intelligence. Through interactive activities and discussions, the teens worked to develop skills in self-awareness, self-management, relationship building, empathy and responsible decision-making.

Watson believes the program has already made a positive impact on her 13-year-old son.

"I feel like Francisco is enjoying himself more and connecting more with his peers in the program in these past two weeks than in middle school, which I think in turn builds confidence," she said.

Her son agrees. According to Brouillette, being immersed in a college environment this summer has been one of the most exciting parts of the program. Touring Brown's buildings, navigating campus and enjoying meals in the Sharpe Refectory, the largest dining hall on campus, have made the teen feel like a college student.

"It's a really fun program to be a part of," Brouillette said. "Being on campus and feeling like a college student is awesome. I also love learning new things and meeting people from different backgrounds."

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