Buffalo State College partners with Oracle Charter School in the “Buffalo State Challenge”

January 31, 2011

Buffalo, NY—Julie Jackson-Forsberg, Head of School at Oracle Charter School, is proud to announce the school’s participation in the Buffalo State Challenge. The Challenge is a unique partnership between Buffalo State College and Oracle Charter School designed to provide aspiring students with a unique opportunity to gain admission to the college. The Challenge partnership is currently offered only to Oracle Charter School and McKinley High School. “This is an exciting opportunity to move Oracle’s college prep mission forward. We are proud and honored to provide this unique partnership for our students who may not see college as a realistic goal for their futures," says Jackson-Forsberg.

The Buffalo State Challenge is a four-year program that guarantees admission to the college with a $1,500 scholarship award to participating students if they graduate with an 85 or higher overall average and either a minimum 1000 combined SAT score (Critical Reading and Math) or an ACT score of 21 or above. Both participating students and their parent(s) or guardian(s) are required to sign a contract granting their consent and commitment to participate in the program. The Buffalo State Challenge program was developed by the Office of Admissions. The collaboration with Oracle Charter School was facilitated through Buffalo State’s Office of College and Community Partnerships. “This is an ideal partnership with the potential for mutually beneficial, measurable results for the college and for the community partner,” said Marian Deutschman, interim director.

The Challenge has a number of components. Project GOAL (Great Outstanding Achievements last a Lifetime) consists of a five-part workshop series on goal development and regular visits to the school by an admissions representative to assist in monitoring academic progress. The college’s S.T.E.P. (Science Technology Entry Program) is a college preparatory program that offers academic support to program participants. Other program components include professional development opportunities for staff; mentoring and leadership development for students; workshops; college planning; direct exposure to Digital Media Production; and invitations to on- and off-campus performances in Music, Theater, and Art.

The main goals of the Buffalo State Challenge partnership are to place Oracle students on the road to college through mentoring relationships, expanded outreach, and greater activity in both their school and the community.

Oracle Charter School is located at 888 Delaware Avenue in a turn-of-the-century, E. B. Green-designed mansion. The school has a total enrollment of more than 350 students in grades 9-12. More than 50 faculty and staff are employed at the school.