About New Jersey SEEDS

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Welcome to New Jersey SEEDS: Where Opportunity Meets Potential

New Jersey SEEDS (Scholars, Educators, Excellence, Dedication, Success) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1992 that prepares motivated, high-achieving, low-income students for admission to private schools and colleges across the country. Each year, we have more than 300 students enrolled in our three education programs, and we provide guidance services to some 480 of our more than 1,630 alumni. 

Each of our three programs provides a demanding course of study designed to develop the intellectual and leadership potential of our students and prepare them for long-term success. We strive to ensure that our students receive 80-100 percent in financial aid from the independent schools and colleges they attend. And we encourage our alumni to pursue lives of professional accomplishment, leadership and service to the community, thus realizing their full potential.

Young Scholars participate in a 14-month program that begins with a summer program following fourth or fifth grade, meets on Saturdays during fifth or sixth grade and culminates with a three-week summer program and overnight retreat the summer before sixth or seventh grade. The Young Scholars Program is open to students in Greater Newark (Newark, Orange or East Orange).

The Scholars Program takes place over a 14-month period, beginning in the summer after seventh grade, continuing Saturdays during the eighth grade year, and culminating in a three-week boarding experience during the summer between eighth and ninth grade. The Scholars Program is open to students who live in the state of New Jersey.

College Preparatory Program students participate in a three-year program that begins the summer prior to tenth grade. The College Preparatory Program is only open to students who are enrolled in SEEDS' partner high schools.

Our Placement team matches each student with the most appropriate school with regard to academics, social environment and cultural fit. SEEDS graduates receive 80-100 percent in financial aid.

Our Guidance and Alumni Programs serve students who have completed the SEEDS program. Our Guidance team provides direct services to 450 Scholar Alumni after placement in independent schools. Our Alumni team provides support services to more than 1,000 alumni in college and beyond.

New Jersey SEEDS has been recognized locally and nationally. Our work in changing lives and building communities has been recognized by the Althea Gibson Foundation, Bank of America, Jersey Cares, Mutual of America, Oprah’s Angel Network, the Partnership in Philanthropy and Rutgers University. In addition, Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of the financial health and efficiency of nonprofit organizations, awarded New Jersey SEEDS four stars, its top rating, for four years.

If you cannot find the information you are looking for on our website, please call us at 973-642-6422.