Frequently Asked Questions

Legacy Scholars was developed in 2005 through a $4 million endowment established by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Legacy Scholars is focused on making high school diplomas and college degrees a reality for Battle Creek youth. Students are eligible as 6th graders. The program is built on the belief that every child has promise, and certain barriers may make it more challenging for many in Battle Creek to achieve that promise. The program emphasizes that there are No Limits to the potential of our young people.

Why choose students in the sixth grade?

Studies show that early intervention in a child's learning life is critical to improving success in school. Many programs begin even earlier, but Legacy Scholars program planners determined that for the time being, the Legacy Scholars program would provide the most benefit by starting during the sixth-grade year of participating children.

What is the Legacy Scholars scholarship?

The Legacy Scholars program offers students a scholarship for two years of education at Kellogg Community College (62 credit-hour equivalent) upon timely graduation from either Battle Creek Public Schools or the Lakeview School District. This scholarship also pays for required textbooks. Scholarships are "last dollar", and are meant to supplement any other grants or scholarships that a student may receive to attend Kellogg Community College.

What was the original eligibility process?

During the spring of 2005 and 2006 caring adults - parents/guardians, counselors, teachers, coaches, pastors, mentors, and others - nominated students at the end of their fifth-grade year. Nomination forms, in English and Spanish, were made available in multiple public sites in Battle Creek and online.

From the nominated students, a selection committee made up of community members reviewed nominations and selected students. The criteria were based on research factors that could inhibit children from reaching their fullest potential.

What changes have taken place with the Legacy Scholars ?

In the spring of 2006 the Legacy Scholars Board of Directors decided to expand Legacy Scholars to include all 6th grade students attending Battle Creek Public Schools and Lakeview School District during the 2005/2006 school year along with the inclusion of all 6th graders attending both districts during the 2006/2007 school year.

The Board of Directors of Legacy Scholars strongly believes this expansion will help to bring continuity to the Battle Creek community and guarantee college opportunities to every 6th grader attending Battle Creek Public Schools and Lakeview School District.

What is the reason for expanding Legacy Scholars?

* Expanding the Legacy Scholars program guarantees ALL 6th grade students attending Battle Creek Public School and Lakeview School District the opportunity to realize their dream of attending and graduating from a post secondary institution.

* Expanding Legacy Scholars to include ALL 6th graders in both districts eliminates any stigma and reduces potential labels associated with identified at-risk indicators.

* Expanding Legacy Scholars allows ALL 6th graders an opportunity to gain skills and knowledge that will help them make positive educational and career choices.

* Expanding Legacy Scholars allows for parents to save beyond the two tuition-free years at Kellogg Community College and support their child/children in furthering their education at a four-year institution.

* Expanding Legacy Scholars eliminates the nomination/selection process. The nomination process required a tremendous amount of financial support and staff time beyond just Legacy Scholars staff.

* Expanding Legacy Scholars completes the overall focus and goal of embracing our youth and creating and enforcing policies of change that will help support all youth, not just individuals. This also exemplifies the overall mission of Legacy Scholars to provide college opportunities and improve the future workforce of the Battle Creek area.

What process will be used to identify and track Legacy Scholars?

Legacy Scholars will be identified at the beginning of their 6th grade year through school enrollment in Battle Creek Public Schools and Lakeview School District. Congratulations letters will be sent to parents/guardians informing them about their child/children's opportunity to become a Legacy Scholar (Parents/Guardians have the right to decline the opportunity). A parent/guardian orientation will be hosted in each school district. School District staff will assist in tracking student enrollment throughout the school year.

How many students will now be eligible as Legacy Scholars?

The original process selected up to 500 students every year. With the new process, over 700 students will now be eligible as Legacy Scholars every year.

How do students remain eligible for the scholarship?

In order to be considered and remain a Legacy Scholar, students must be enrolled at the beginning of their 6th grade year in either Battle Creek Public Schools or Lakeview School District. (this does not include attendance at Pennfield, Harper Creek, local private or charter schools, etc.). Students must continually attend school in either Battle Creek Public Schools or Lakeview School District from 6th grade through high school and graduate on time from Battle Creek Public Schools or Lakeview School District. Students must also participate in Legacy Scholar sponsored programs and activities.

If a student is withdrawn from (not enrolled in) Battle Creek Public Schools and Lakeview School District at any time between 6th grade and high school graduation they will no longer be eligible as Legacy Scholars and will loose their scholarship. Students can however, move between the two districts during 6th grade and high school graduation and remain Legacy Scholars.

Why is college important to our young people?

Below are national statistics that also apply to Battle Creek.

Earning potential
2002: Male and female college graduates earn 65% and 71% more, respectively, than high school graduates without a college degree (in 1980 that number was only 19% higher for males and 34% for females).

Employment
2003: There is a 44% unemployment rate among youth (ages 16-24) currently not attending high school, or without a high-school diploma (compared to 9% achieving at least a bachelor's degree).

Health
78% of those with a bachelor's degree reported being in excellent health (66% of those with some education beyond high school; 56%, high school education; and 39%, less than a high school education).

Educational access
54% of recent high school graduates from low-income families pursue post-secondary education, compared to 88% of upper-income graduates.

Legacy Scholars is ever evolving. We understand that this is a very complex and involved endeavor - but we believe that it is important to our young people and our community. The Legacy Scholars program will continue to change to best meet the needs of the students who qualified this year, and the students who will qualify in years to come. It is our hope to provide support and incentive, making high school graduation and a college education a reality for all students in our public schools. As the program grows and evolves, your input and involvement will be essential to its success.

For more information feel free to contact Paula Langston-Ware, Program Director at (269) 966-4091 or langston-warep@kellogg.edu.