Congrats SEEDS Class of ’18

This summer, SEEDS celebrated commencement of scholars from all three academic programs. In June, the second class of College Scholars graduated, celebrating 100% college enrollment (view photos). Scholars and Young Scholars completed their time with SEEDS in August (view photos).

College Scholars celebrated with family and friends on Saturday, June 9 at Montclair University. After hearing from Commencement Speaker Eduardo Vargas (College Scholars ’18, Tufts University ’22) and Keynote Speaker Michelle Swittenberg, several graduates were presented with special awards. Then came the formal presentation of diplomas.

The 39 College Scholars – representing 19 public high schools from 16 cities within 25 miles of Newark – were all accepted into college. They collectively received more than 100 acceptances from 55 colleges and universities across the country, and 87 percent of this class will be attending Most, Highly or Very Competitive Colleges, as ranked by Barron’s. (View a complete list of college decisions.) Congratulations College Scholars!

Scholars and Young Scholars celebrated on August 4 at Summit High School. The 118 graduates and their families heard from two student speakers – Idaliza Perez (Scholars ’18, Princeton Day School ’22) and Abdiel Perde (Young Scholars ’18, Delbarton School ’24) – and graduate Mel Sarkor-Clinton (SEEDS ’97, Seton Hall Preparatory School ’01, Pratt Institute ’06, Architect and Founder of Gesture Ink Architecture). Several special awards were also presented.

Ninety-eight percent of Scholars and Young Scholars in the Class of 2018 were placed in selective middle and high schools in New Jersey and 13 additional states. These students will receive more than $5.1M in financial aid directly from the schools they will attend. (View a complete list of students’ enrollments.) Congratulations Scholars and Young Scholars!

SEEDS has also been celebrating the high school and college graduations of our alumni. 100% of the reporting high school seniors in the Class of 2018 enrolled in college this school year, with 85% of graduates enrolling in Most, Highly or Very Competitive Colleges, as ranked by Barron’s. Want to celebrate along with our graduates? Check out #njseedsgraduates on Facebook.