Liberty Partnerships Program
The Onondaga Community College Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP) provides comprehensive support services to 300 at-risk students at Corcoran and Fowler High Schools in the Syracuse City School District,
Students in the Onondaga Community College Liberty Partnerships Program enroll in grades 9-12 after they and their families have demonstrated a commitment to maintaining enrollment in the Program through graduation and the first year of postsecondary education or career. Throughout their tenure in the Program, students and their families benefit from year round comprehensive academic support services, extensive multi-faceted counseling services, special programming to ensure successful transitions from middle school to high school and from high school to postsecondary education or a meaningful career, workforce preparation activities, and parent engagement . Graduating LPP students are also able to earn LPP Dollars for Scholars Scholarships, as well as half-tuition scholarships from selected LPP-sponsoring colleges and universities.
Academic support services are provided on-site throughout the school day at Corcoran and Fowler High Schools, and include tutoring in basic skills as needed, homework assistance, examination preparation and review, research skills, and study skills/academic support workshops. Summer activities include learning-styles seminars, workforce preparation and academic enrichment activities, and transition strategy workshops as students prepare to enter the next grade level.
Counseling services include needs assessments at intake. Case management strategies are determined during this intake and are ongoing. Individual, group, and family counseling, as well as crisis intervention, is available according to need. Academic counseling is also ongoing and includes consultation about graduation progress, academic majors, course selection, and advanced coursework. College and career counseling components include career-awareness strategies, college field trips, SAT/ACT preparation, and college application assistance, including help with admission forms and financial aid. Intensive transition programming is offered, in conjunction with the Syracuse City School District and Syracuse University GEAR UP, to those students moving from middle school to high school, and from high school to post-secondary education and workforce settings.
Workforce preparation programming, which is overseen by trained staff, includes year-round grade- and age-appropriate activities to prepare students to make positive, informed career decisions. Services include use of such career exploration programs as Work keys and the Virtual College and Career Center, developed by Partners for Education and Business; employment services and skill enhancement through CNY Works; job search, resume development, and interviewing workshops; career site visits; guest speakers; and job shadowing and internships at the eleventh and twelfth grade levels.