The Joe Barnhart Scholarship Program at A.C. Jones High School
Created to motivate and assist Beeville Independent School District high school students in receiving post-secondary educations, the Joe Barnhart Scholarship Program has benefited 1,650 students since the program began in 1998. The program is unique in two ways: the collaboration between a public school and a private foundation - and the one-on-one relationship of each student with a volunteer mentor. Over 50 volunteers work with students to counsel, encourage and assist students individually in completing paperwork necessary for obtaining college admission and financial aid. Currently the program Director has acquired $20 million in financial aid for the students of Beeville. In addition, the Foundation provides financial assistance for some students. Since the program began, Beeville school officials have noted a rise in the number of students taking college entrance exams and a decline in the student dropout rate.
The Step-Ahead Program was created in 2008 as part of the Joe Barnhart Scholarship Program. Step-Ahead begins in high school freshman year. Primary goals are to motivate students to be interested in higher education. Step-Ahead focuses on aptitude testing and exploration of students' interests and possibilities.
Available to all students attending A.C. Jones High School
through the Step-Ahead Program:
Pick-A-Cluster - Career
choices reinforced by a series of career nights based on those careers matched in
the aptitude testing.
Those areas highlighted in 2009-2010:
Architecture
and Construction
Health
Sciences
Law - Public Safety - Corrections - Security
Manufacturing
Summer
Shadowing 2010 - Each student
spent one day observing someone in his or her chosen career.
Law:
Attorney including an actual case in court
Assistant District Attorney
Health Sciences:
Dental Office to include routine visits as well as
surgical
Intensive Care Unit (Hospital)
Pediatrics (Hospital)
Radiology (Hospital)
Rehabilitation Services to include Physical Therapy and Occupation
Therapy (Hospital)
Contact Paula Duffy, Joe Barnhart Scholarship Program Director, at 361.358.0413 should you have further questions.