Merlac: Empowering Students
Our Comprehensive Support Programs
Merlac offers a range of vital services designed to help students overcome barriers to college and achieve their academic dreams. We are dedicated to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
What is the Bridge Program?
The Bridge program is designed to offer comprehensive academic and social-emotional support, empowering high school students to succeed on their PSAT and SAT assessments.
We fulfill this mission through the following initiatives:
Offering year-long, intensive math tutoring.
Coaching students in effective time management strategies.
Supporting students in setting and achieving personal goals.
Organizing enrichment activities, including field trips and college visits, to inspire and motivate students.
Providing meaningful rewards for students who achieve their personal goals.
This approach ensures that students not only excel academically but also grow personally, preparing them for future success.
What is High Impact Tutoring?
We provide high-impact tutoring for high school freshmen with the greatest math needs. This tutoring not only addresses gaps in students’ math knowledge through targeted remediation but also accelerates learning by offering intensive, personalized support. Sessions occur during designated class time, ensuring they don’t replace regular coursework. Our ultimate goal is to promote academic growth and prepare students for the challenges of high school and college-level curricula.
We achieve this mission through the following initiatives:
Identifying freshmen with significant math needs.
Offering one-on-one tutoring sessions twice per week.
Focusing on grade-level content as well as other essential math concepts.
Assisting students in setting and achieving personal academic goals.
Through targeted, one-on-one sessions, we aim to promote academic growth and prepare students for future academic challenges.
What is CCRI Connect?
The CCRI program offers comprehensive onboarding support to improve completion and graduation rates for high school students enrolling at the Community College of Rhode Island. By moving away from the ineffective “Cafeteria Model,” which contributes to low retention and graduation rates, the CCRI Connect program provides a personalized, culturally relevant onboarding experience designed to help students achieve their academic and career goals. We accomplish this mission through the following initiatives:
– Assisting students with completing college applications to CCRI- Ensuring students complete college-level math and English courses in their first year
– Helping students earn significant college credits in their first year to build “early momentum”- Guiding students to identify a pathway for earning workforce credentials or transferring to a four-year university- Ensuring students take at least one course that sparks their interest during their first term
– Partnering with CCRI to enhance onboarding and career pathways, especially for marginalized students. By offering targeted support, helping students gain early momentum, and guiding them toward academic and career pathways, the program ensures students achieve their goals and succeed in college.
Partner With Us
Join Merlac in our mission to expand college access for marginalized students. Your partnership will make a tangible difference in students’ lives.