Program Helps High-Achieving Students Enroll and Thrive in College

Delaware Goes to College Academy (DGCA) was co-founded by the Delaware Department of Education and TeenSHARP to provide high quality college advising to high achieving students from low-income households across the state. DGCA supports a broad group of students throughout the state of Delaware in the college application and decision process. There is no cost to students to participate. This is a virtual program.

Selected scholars receive free high-quality college admissions consulting all year long.

2024 Academy Dates: April 1-4

The Delaware Goes to College Academy can support you as you:

  • Pick the right high school classes.
  • Earn top grades and keep them high.
  • Find the best leadership and extracurricular opportunities, including those taking place in the summer.
  • Connect with other students who are on track for college.
  • Visit colleges in Delaware and beyond.
  • Have access to highly qualified college advisors.

Who is eligible?

The Delaware Goes to College Academy Bootcamp is open to all high school freshmen, plus sophomores and junior graders with a 3.0 or higher GPA. For students interested in continuing participation in the year-long program, preference will be given to students from low income households.

  • We highly encourage all current high school freshman to register
  • Sophomores and juniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher are encouraged to register

This program is designed for students of all racial/ethnic backgrounds.

The first step is to register and participate in the upcoming 2024 Delaware Goes to College Academy Bootcamp.

  • DGCA Bootcamp Virtual Workshops are Monday, April 1 through Thursday, April 4 from 1 pm-5 pm
  • Evening College Tour: Tuesday, April 2nd, from 5pm-7 pm with 3+ top colleges from across the US
  • Parent Session: Wednesday, April 3rd, from 6 pm-7:30 pm with TeenSHARP’s Parent Program Manager
  • One-on-One Advising Meetings with TeenSHARP Expert Advisors: Friday, April 5th from 1 pm-4:30 pm (pre-registration will be required)
  • All links will be shared via email the last week of March.

What happens after the Bootcamp?

After the Bootcamp, students will receive ongoing virtual support. They will also be a part of the TeenSHARP high school scholars community, consistently receiving information about valuable opportunities and tools to help them make most informed decisions regarding their academics. Students will be invited to return to the Spring bootcamp in the following years and their parents will be invited to attend virtual meetings, especially designed for the students in the TeenSHARP community.

What is TeenSHARP?

TeenSHARP is a nonprofit organization with headquarters in Delaware and serving students across the tri-state area in the Delaware Valley. The mission of TeenSHARP is to prepare talented low-income, African-American, and Latino students to attend and thrive at our nation’s top colleges. TeenSHARP achieves its mission through four programs: the Striver Program, The College Success Program, and the Parent Network Program. Additionally, TeenSHARP partners with the Delaware Department of Education to lead the Delaware Goes to College Academy for a broader group of Delaware high school students.

The Delaware Goes to College Academy is open to students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.

All the expenses for this program are paid for through funding by the Delaware Department of Education’s Higher Education Office, TeenSHARP, Longwood Foundation, Welfare Foundation, WSFS Bank, Bank of America, and Laffey-McHugh Foundation.

Need more information?

If you have any questions, your school counselors can provide more information. You may also contact Amanda Leighty at amanda.leighty@teensharp.org.