College Reach Out Program

The College Reach-Out Program (CROP) was created by the Florida Legislature in 1983 (Chapter 1007.34, Florida Statutes). The major purpose of the program is to increase the number of low and lower-middle income potential, first generation-in-college students in grades 6-12 who are able to successfully complete a college education. "First generation-in-college" refers to a student whose parents have not completed a four-year (baccalaureate) college degree. Financial eligibility is determined by the size of the student's family and their taxable income level. The Chipola CROP program began in 1991 and now serves over 300 sixth through eighth grade students in the Chipola District annually.

Through a joint venture the CROP and WINGS ( Winning Intellectually "N" Gaining Safety) after-school programs partnered to serve more middle school students. Through this partnership students who meet eligibility requirements join an "after school" tutorial program and are provided bus transportation home in the afternoon. Students are mentored and provided the tools needed to grow socially, emotionally, and academically, and are exposed to cultural enrichment throughout the year. They are rewarded for bringing up low grades in a variety of ways . One example is the "End of the Six Weeks" dinner. Parents are invited to the middle school for a dinner and awards program where student accomplishments are highlighted. A summer enrichment program is held annually at Flagler College in St. Augustine. Students are selected to attend this week at Flagler based on attendance records for the afternoon tutorial sessions and overall grade improvement.

Chipola CROP is part of the Panhandle II CROP Pre-Collegiate Consortium made up of Gulf Coast Community College, Flagler College, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Community College and Chipola College. Each campus involved in the Consortium has students who are involved in a wide variety of academic, educational and counseling activities designed to supplement their education and better prepare them for a postsecondary education.

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