PROJECT LAUNCH
~Helping Dreams Take Flight~
Program History
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In 2012, the Project Launch (PL) journey began with a pilot group of three willing students, a small start-up grant and a dream for all local high school graduates to achieve post-secondary success!
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Before PL, more than 45% of local graduates that entered a post-secondary educational program had dropped out by the end of their first semester. After the first semester, dropout rates rose even higher.
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Once PL was established, the college completion rate rose to nearly 75%.
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Over 65% of PL students are the first in their family to attend formal post-secondary learning, including degree, certificate and credentialing programs.
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Our initial college transition efforts were soon expanded to include both college and workforce pathways and more recently, to adult workforce transition and retraining.
How Does Project Launch Work?
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During high school, PL provides critical support to local students through opportunities to identify career and life interests, explore college & workforce pathways, participate in apprenticeships and develop needed skills for post-secondary success.
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Post-secondary, PL continues to be a trusted resource and support for students and adults as they begin or transition to college and the workforce.
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PL is free and open to all current DISHS students, past graduates and community members.
Program Achievements
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To date, enrolled more than 200 students and created a full roster of college & workforce readiness activities, including apprenticeships, skill-building classes, social events and parent support. As shared by Caleb Hardie, PL Class of 2019, Eastern Maine Community College student, “Project Launch provided me with the tools I needed to navigate through the difficulties of college enrollment and academics. I'm happy to now be a mentor for younger students."
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Created a “near-peer” mentor program, “Gurus”, that matches new PL students with recent graduates who share their wisdom about life after high school. To date, 150 matches have been made and there are over 50 trained Gurus. In the words of Andrea Kyzer, PL Class of 2016, North Country Community College student, “It is an honor to step up as a PL Guru! It's so important to have that helping hand to find your passion."
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Developed the first-ever local student apprenticeship program, now in it’s 2nd year, a collaborative effort with Deer Isle-Stonington High School and area employers to encourage student exploration and hands-on learning. As expressed by Marlaina Jones, PL Class of 2023, Bennington College student, “My apprenticeship with the town of Stonington and its content focus on sea-level rise ignited my passion for climate awareness and environmental studies."
“Project Launch is dedicated to making the program the most successful it can be. It's clearly working - kids are staying in college and earning degrees. College graduation and retention rates are major concerns in a state like Maine that is desperate for young, qualified workers. Project Launch is a local solution that is working. It's a model program and other schools and institutions that also want to take on this challenge are paying attention to what's been developed here.”
- Andrea Perry, Program Officer, Broad Reach Fund
"We believe in the value of your program.
What you are doing is a great benefit to our island community, now and in the future. The program
is successful and effective. It changes young
people's lives in a very positive way."
- Loring & Claudette Kydd, Project Launch Supporters
Project Launch Funders and Partners
Maine Community Foundation Broad Reach Fund, Island Institute, Maine Community Foundation Barry Lyons Trust, Maine Community Foundation Community Building Grant, Educate Maine, MELMAC Educational Foundation, Deer Isle & Stonington Town Warrant, Island Wellness Foundation, Island Education Foundation, Henry Niles Foundation, Healthy Acadia Partnerships for Success, Helene Quinn Memorial Fund, Maine Department of Education, Island Marine Lodge, William Flagg Fund, and the Mauro Fund
Our collaborative efforts with other organizations have
greatly impacted our success. Partners include:
Central School District #13
Healthy Acadia
Island Institute
Jobs for Maine Graduates
Maine Department of Education
MELMAC Foundation