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In 2011, superintendents of the Ontario-Montclair School District and the Chaffey Joint Union High School District signed an agreement with the presidents of Chaffey College and Cal State San Bernardino.
These leaders envisioned a thriving community built through ensuring that every student was introduced to the opportunities available to them after high school graduation and by giving them the tools to pursue them.
The Promise Scholars program was launched with the creation of the nonprofit Ontario-Montclair Schools Foundation. Today, the program serves 20,000 K-12 students and 1,000 parents every year. Through funding and volunteer support from the community, Promise Scholars provides students and parents with information and guidance on attending college. The program defines college more broadly to include everything from career certificates to doctoral degrees.
Promise Scholars introduces college and career curriculum in every elementary school classroom. Fifth-grade students visit a community college and sixth graders hear presentations from business leaders. When students are in eighth grade, they visit a four-year college. Simply visiting a college can have a huge impact, according to Promise Scholars’ Executive Director Felix Melendez.
Promise Scholar students take an eighth-grade field trip to Pitzer College in Claremont on Friday, March 3, 2023. (Courtesy of Promise Scholars)
Students get help from the Promise Scholars program Oct. 27, 2022, as they complete financial-aid and college applications. (Courtesy of Promise Scholars)
Brianna Sandoval, at middle rear behind check, receives a Promise Scholars’ $10,000 Opportunity Scholarship on May 18, 2022. (Courtesy of Promise Scholars)
“All around the country we have kids who live their lives bordered by highways,” Melendez said. “Taking them to a campus and letting them have lunch on the greens or see the technology available there, this is what shapes dreams.”
In high school, Promise Scholars assess their strengths, engage in career exploration, learn about college requirements and receive assistance with financial aid applications.
The program partners with Chaffey College, Cal State San Bernardino, University of La Verne, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Bakersfield, University of Redlands and Azusa Pacific University. Promise Scholar graduates have a place waiting for them at these colleges. The city of Ontario also provides scholarships for up to two years for high school graduates who live in the city and want to attend community college in California.
The Promise Scholars program has been highly successful and the students served have a college attendance rate that is 40% higher than the rest of the nation, according to Melendez. Many of these students are also the first generation in their families to attend college. This is often due to a lack of awareness in scholarship availability or a lack of understanding in how to navigate applying. Last year, $37 billion of Pell Grants went unclaimed, he said.
Recently, Promise Scholars received a grant from the CIELO Fund through the Inland Empire Community Foundation. The program relies on grants and volunteers to offer programs and to provide opportunity grants for students completing the program in high school. All students who remain in the program are eligible to receive a grant and the winners are randomly drawn. Smaller scholarships for $500 and $1,000 are drawn along the way to encourage students to continue with the program, ending with a drawing for a $10,000 grant.
Community members who wish to help the program can donate the Ontario-Montclair Schools Foundation or volunteer with the program. Promise Scholars welcomes professionals who are willing to share their college and career journey with students. One Promise Scholar alumnus who went to Pepperdine University and became lawyer returned to his elementary school to share his story with students. Meeting people who grew up in their neighborhood and succeeded can have a huge impact, according to Melendez. He encourages everyone to meet youths in their community — whether or not they are Promise Scholars — and to share their stories of success.
“It is important everyone believe in their kids and community,” Melendez said. “We are doing great things and we have great kids. Believe in our kids and believe in each other.”
Information: 909-284-1563 or https://promisescholars.org/
Inland Empire Community Foundation works to strengthen Inland Southern California through philanthropy.
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