Family Information Booklet
Introduction
Hello families!
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Rainier Scholars – Tacoma! We know you have big dreams for your child’s future, and we’re excited to walk alongside your family on this journey to college graduation and beyond.
Rainier Scholars is a long-term college readiness program designed to nurture the potential of students. We equip students with the skills and support they need to succeed in the most competitive academic program available, setting them up for success in life. We do this by exposing students to academic content 1-2 grade levels above their current grade to help position them for optimal choices after high school. We know that with a college degree, students will be better prepared to enter a career of their choosing making a sustainable wage. Our goal is to get students TO college, THROUGH college and graduating with minimal debt. A college degree AND little to no debt? Yes, that is our goal! But the road to that outcome starts now.
We commit to providing your students with the highest quality teachers, meaningful relationships with caring adults, academic coaches, a supportive cohort of like-minded peers, individualized college counseling, leadership training, internship opportunities and much more!
We believe in the boundless potential of young people, and we believe that students can meet and often exceed expectations when they have the chance to see what’s possible and are given consistent support and tools to navigate the process. For this reason, we intend for this experience to stretch them. They will likely be exposed to a level of challenge and expectation that is new and possibly even a little scary. Know that this is totally normal. We are here to walk them through the growing pains. If you’re willing to do the same, we will make a great team!
As you thoroughly read through this booklet, you will get a picture of who we are and what you can expect through the application process. It’s our hope that it will speak to that spark of what you believe your child can be and make you eager to apply. Your student’s future really does start TODAY. We can’t wait to be a part of it. Embracing all that Rainier Scholars has to offer can open doors some can’t even imagine.
Let’s get to work!
Sincerely,
Nicole Anthony
Nicole Anthony Director of Recruitment & Community Engagement – Tacoma
Who We Are
Rainier Scholars has been supporting students and families for 25+ years in Seattle, Renton, and Highline school districts and is excited to be in our 5th year serving the greater Tacoma area. Every student deserves the choice of attending college and the support it takes to get there.
Our Values
Our Mission
Rainier Scholars cultivates students’ academic and leadership potential through rigorous, transformative opportunities that increase college graduation rates and empower new generations of leaders.
Our Vision
We envision a just and inclusive society with equitable representation at all levels of leadership and influence.
Who We Serve
Rainier Scholars currently serves around 720 students from 5th grade to college graduation.
We serve students who have the highest number of barriers to achieving a college education and are historically underrepresented on college campuses.
Nationally, the least represented groups on college campuses by race/ethnicity are: Multigenerational African American, Indigenous, Pacific Islander, Latine, and Southeast Asian.
Many of our students come from homes where they would be the first to attend college.
Many of our students are low-income
What We Do
A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH
Our work focuses on five core areas:
Academic Enrichment
Rainier Scholars – Tacoma supports students to work at advanced levels—at least one grade level above their current grade—before they enter high school. To accomplish this, students will spend three summers in our Summer Stretch Academy learning challenging content and building their academic skills. During the 5th and 6th grade school year, students will meet every Tuesday for additional academic enrichment. From middle school through college graduation, our scholars are supported by an Academic Coach to ensure their continued academic growth and skill-building.
Cultural Identity and Resiliency
The pathway to college is challenging, even when students are academically prepared. A critical piece of our programming supports students in knowing who they are, where they come from, and that they add value to every place they go. Additionally, students develop confidence that they have the skills, tools, and resources to overcome the challenges they’ll face as a student on a college prep pathway.
Leadership and Career Development
Scholars develop their potential and explore their interests through a variety of leadership and career opportunities. Beginning in middle school, scholars participate in workshops that foster skill building and leadership development, in addition to field trips focused on career exploration and summer enrichment opportunities. During high school, scholars engage with important civic and societal issues through a series of leadership retreats. High school and college scholars are connected to paid summer internship opportunities, receive personalized career counseling, and have access to professional mentorship.
College Counseling
Scholars and families work together with our staff to learn about their college choices and navigate the college application process. Exposure to college starts early through a variety of learning opportunities, such as field trips and conversations with college students and alumni. During high school, scholars receive personalized college counseling services, ACT/SAT Prep activities, and in depth financial aid/college planning services.
Parent/Guardian Empowerment
Rainier Scholars families and staff work as a community to support one another and their students through the 12-year journey. Several times a year workshops are offered that are designed to build skills and empower parents/guardians to develop strong support systems and be effective educational advocates for their children. Parent Education continues to be an important part of the Rainier Scholars experience throughout the journey.
CULTURAL IDENTITY AND RESILIENCY
Building resiliency and community through the exploration of cultural identity
ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT
Academic preparation and coaching for success in college prep pathways
PARENT/ GUARDIAN EMPOWERMENT
Skill-building, information sharing, and peer support
COLLEGE COUNSELING
College readiness, college planning, and application support
LEADERSHIP AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Personal development, experiential learning, and career exploration
The First Three Summers
Research shows that the years leading up to 8th grade are critical in setting students up for academic success in high school and beyond. Therefore, Rainier Scholars is designed to prepare students to succeed on a college preparatory track in high school by providing a challenging summer and school year academic experience. After spending the summers before 5th, 6th, and 7th grades with Rainier Scholars – Tacoma, students complete Summer Stretch Academy prepared for Algebra in 8th grade and ready for honors-level courses in high school.
During the summers, your student will:
• Attend classes June 29th–August 7th, 2026. Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM–4:15 PM. Transportation is provided to and from the school site.
• Be exposed to challenging content 1–2 grade levels above their current grade in Literature/ Writing, Mathematics, History, and Science.
• Learn and practice Active Learning Skills such as: time management, organization, accountability, self-advocacy, collaborative learning, risk taking, and effort.
• Be responsible for completing 1–2 hours of homework each night.
• Build on their foundation of cultural identity and resiliency.
• Participate in a culture that celebrates both hard work and fun, centered around our core values of Excellence, Perseverance, Integrity, and Courage (E.P.I.C.).
In between summers, your student will:
THE FIRST 3 YEARS
7th Grade & Beyond: Continued academic coaching and support , leadership development, and career exploration.
• Starting in sixth grade, be visited monthly during the school day by an Academic Coach, who will support them in applying the skills they learned during Summer Stretch Academies.
• Continue to strengthen their academic skills through a weekly Literature and Math class Tuesdays, 6:00–7:30 PM at Hunt Middle School.
• Have support in advocating for challenging work to continue to build their skillset.
• Engage in monthly workshops that build community and support academic goals.
• Receive additional academic support as needed.
Summer Stretch Academy
School Year - 5th Grade
Summer Stretch Academy
School Year - 6th Grade
Summer Stretch - Mini College
What Makes Us Different?
We understand that there are many college prep programs available to you and are committed to helping you understand whether Rainier Scholars is the right fit for your family. Below are a few things that make us different from other college prep programs.
Early Start
Rainier Scholars starts the summer before 5th grade and continues through college graduation. This early start allows us to set a strong academic foundation for students so that they enter college prep pathways with the confidence and skills to be successful.
In addition to providing families with information about what it takes to be college ready, we also provide the academic coursework necessary to get students ahead. Students will complete about 1,000 hours of additional academic enrichment outside of their school year before 7th grade.
Comprehensive Approach
Academic Preparation
We know that being a college student is about more than academic performance and thus, our program model reflects a holistic, wellness-driven approach. Our programs and services include mental health and social work support, curriculum that integrates cultural identity and resiliency and parent/guardian empowerment workshops.
Understanding the College Prep Pathway
In addition to fulfilling all graduation requirements at your school, becoming a competitive college applicant (with substantial financial aid) requires that students achieve at a high level in the most rigorous coursework available to them. This means that students should aim to take honors-level classes (AP, IB, College in the High School, etc.) that they feel they can earn A’s and B’s in.
Grade Math Science English History Language
Elementary School During Elementary School, students should be developing strong habits as readers, writers, and mathematicians, and pushing themselves to be working at or above grade level in reading and math, as evidenced by DRA (Direct Reading Assessment) and iReady scores, in addition to teacher observation.
Middle School Algebra in 8th grade
Middle school students should strive to take advanced/honors-level classes offered at their middle school. This will vary by school and subject, so they should speak to their school counselor about their options.
9th Grade Geometry Physical Science, Integrated Science, or General Science Language Arts 9 Honors
10th Grade Algebra 2 Biology Language Arts 10 Honors
11th Grade Pre-Calculus Chemistry Language Arts 11 Honors
World History Students should have at least 3 years of a foreign language
AP US History
12th Grade Calculus Physics AP Language/ Literature AP Government or Economics
*NOTE: Individual course offerings/titles can vary by school. AP (Advanced Placement) and IB (International Baccalaureate) classes are typically viewed as the best preparation for success in college level coursework. If taking International Baccalaureate, it is recommended to take the full diploma programme.
Our Results
The college/university experience is not just a great learning opportunity; it prepares students to enter the workforce, ideally in careers where students will continue to learn, grow, and develop. The degree you earn can be a real advantage in securing the career of your choice and earning a livable wage. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2024, median earnings for bachelor’s degree holders were 86% higher annually than those whose highest degree is a high school diploma. We’re proud of the work of our scholars and happy to share our collective successes!
Currently 176 Rainier Scholars are attending 62 colleges & universities in Washington and around the country; 91% of eligible scholars have graduated, or are on track to graduate, from colleges and universities.
Long-term comprehensive support services through middle and high school have resulted in 100% high school graduation & 98% college admission for our scholars.
Over 400 alumni have embarked on careers and/or pursued graduate study in a wide range of sectors including business and finance, health and medicine, social impact, tech, engineering, law, science and the environment, arts and design, psychology, education, government and public policy, journalism, media, and many more. College graduates are supported through professional development, networking, mentoring, leadership opportunities & community engagement services.
The Application Process
This multi-step application process is designed to help us understand as much as possible about a student and their family so that we can make an informed decision.
December–January
INFORMATION MEETINGS & APPLICATIONS
Starting in December, Information Meetings are offered in-person and online, and interested families are invited to begin the application process.
Applications close February 3, 2026
Our multi-step process includes various methods of info gathering.
February–March
PARENTS/GUARDIANS WILL:
• Complete a survey
• Provide income verification
• Request a teacher and personal recommendation
STUDENTS WILL COMPLETE:
• “Live” Application Stations (weekday evening event—various dates available)
• Staff interviews
• Social/emotional survey
• Writing sample
• Reading and Math Benchmark tests (Saturday, February 7th)
Application workshops are available for families who need additional assistance completing materials.
All application materials due!
March 21, 2026 11:59pm
Invitations to Round 2 by February 11, 2026
ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS DUE!
Incomplete application packets as of this date will not be considered for selection in Cohort 5.
Cohort 5 announcements by May 8, 2026!
The Art of Selection
While we would love to support all students who have dreams of going to college, we only have the resources to support a cohort of up to 50 students each year. This makes the application process very competitive. While some programs use hard and fast rules for selection, we try to look at each unique family as holistically as possible which makes our selection process more of an art than a science. We hope the following information will help you understand more about our criteria for selecting families for the program. As always, please feel free to reach out if you have additional questions.
Consideration Factors
There are essentially three factors we consider: Family Circumstances, Student Potential and Academic Readiness. The questions below illustrate the lens we use to assess applicants:
FAMILY CHECKLIST
• Does the family come from a background that faces significant barriers to achieving a college degree?
• Does their income place them far from opportunity? (This typically means low income but, in some cases, a middle-income family would fall in this category as well)
• Is education a priority and college graduation a goal?
• Is the family structure able to support the time commitment and dedication it takes to be a part of this rigorous program?
• Would the student be a first generation college graduate? If not, are the degrees in the family contributing to economic stability?
• Would the support of Rainier Scholars make a meaningful difference in this child’s journey to college graduation?
*NOTE: This is not a checklist. This list is provided to give you insight into how we assess each application.
STUDENT POTENTIAL ACADEMIC READINESS
• Does the student display curiosity and a love of learning?
• Does the student embrace a challenge?
• Has the student demonstrated that they work well with others?
• Does the student show potential for leadership?
• Is the student at, approaching, or above grade level in Reading and Math?
• What are the student’s academic areas for growth?
• What is the student’s work ethic in school or in other learning environments?
The Art of Selection, cont’d
How We Gather Information
With these consideration factors in mind, we have several tools we use to gather this information: initial application, parent survey, student interview, recommendations, grades and test scores. Your attention to detail and thoughtful responses will help us collect the information we need to make our selection.
The Final Selection Process
We realize the time and effort families take to complete the application process, so we approach deliberations with the same care and attention. Upon receiving all application materials, a panel of staff read and evaluate each application individually. The panel then gathers to discuss findings and builds the cohort for the upcoming year. Letters are then sent to families to notify them of the decision. Applicants that are accepted will receive a personal phone call to officially welcome them to the program.
Please know, not being admitted to Rainier Scholars is not an indication of a child’s potential for success. In the event your child is not selected, we would be happy to share information with your family about other resources and programs that can support their educational journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Rainier Scholars cost?
While the cost to provide our program is $175,000 per student over the course of the 12 years, our generous donors give us the ability to offer the program to families without a fee! The primary investment for families are time and commitment. Occasionally, there may be small fees for optional special trips or activities.
Does Rainier Scholars give out scholarships?
Rainier Scholars is not a scholarship program. However, many of our scholars earn scholarships through their hard work to become highly competitive applicants. Rainier Scholars can assist with scholars researching scholarships and assists families with the financial aid process.
Do students have to give up their activities to be a part of Rainier
Scholars?
A Rainier Scholar may have to sacrifice some of their usual activities to participate during the Summer Stretch Academy and the weekly Tuesday class, where attendance is a requirement. The time commitment during the summer includes 1-2 hours of homework each night. During the school year, students can expect about 90 minutes of homework from their Tuesday evening class. Scholars are encouraged to get involved in afterschool activities, clubs, sports, and other enrichment during the year.
Do you accept students with Individualized Education Program (IEPs) or 504 Plans?
Students with IEPs or 504s are eligible to apply and will be considered through the same process as their peers. Rainier Scholars staff will need a copy (or picture) of the Accommodations page of the IEP, so that we can provide appropriate accommodations during testing. Additional information may be requested during the process to ensure that we can provide the support necessary for the student to find success in our program.
Frequently Asked Questions, cont’d
Do you accept students that are not enrolled in Tacoma Public Schools?
Students outside of the district are eligible to apply but will be asked to provide their own testing scores (iReady or equivalent) and grade reports as part of their application. If a student lives outside of our transportation range, families may have to provide transportation (at least to our nearest bus stop) if accepted into the program.
What if my child is not in 4th grade?
Currently we are only accepting applications for students enrolled in 4th grade. As we continue to grow in Tacoma, we hope to be able to offer programming for students at different grade levels. Please sign up for our email list to be informed of opportunities for older students!
What are the times and dates of the program?
• The first Summer Stretch Academy for Cohort 5 will run July 29–August 7, 2026. Summer classes run Monday-Friday (transportation provided) from 8:30 AM–4:15 PM
• During the school year, classes will occur on Tuesdays, 6:00–7:30 PM
What’s next?
If you have not attended a Family Information Meeting, please visit: https://rainierscholars.tfaforms.net/f/TacomaInqInformation to access the schedule and register for a meeting. You must attend one Information Meeting to access the application.
If you have attended an Information Meeting and have decided to apply, you should have already received the application link to complete the application.
Questions? Contact: Ena Artugue at 253.666.5074 or eartugue@rainierscholars.org.
It All Pays Off!
COLLEGES OF SCHOLARS AND ALUMS
Agnes Scott College
Allegheny College
American University
Amherst College
Ashesi University
Arizona State University
Art Center College of Design
Bard College
Bates College
Bellevue College
Boston College
Boston University
Bowdoin College
Brandeis University
Bryn Mawr College
Brown University
California Polytechnic State University
Carleton College
Carnegie Mellon University
Central Washington University
Chapman University
Claremont McKenna College
Colgate University
College of Holy Cross
College of Wooster
Columbia University
Connecticut College
Cornell University
Cornish College of the Arts
Dartmouth College
Davidson College
Denison University
Duke University
Eastern Washington University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
Emerson College
Emory University
Evergreen State College
Franklin & Marshall College
George Washington University
Georgetown University
Gettysburg College
Gonzaga University
Goucher College
Green River College
Harvard College
Harvey Mudd College
Highline College
Howard University
Ithaca College
Johns Hopkins University
Johnson & Wales University
Kalamazoo College
Kenyon College
Knox College
Lafayette College
Lehigh University
Loyola Marymount University
Macalester College
Marist College
Middlebury College
Mills College
Morehouse College
Mt. Holyoke College
New York University
North Seattle College
Northeastern University
Northwestern University
NYU-Shanghai
Oberlin College
Occidental College
Ohio State University
Pacific Lutheran University
Parsons School of Design
Pitzer College
Pomona College
Pratt Institute
Princeton University
Reed College
Santa Clara University
Scripps College
Seattle Central College
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle University
Seton Hall University
Shoreline Community College
Simmons College
Skidmore College
Smith College
Southern Methodist University
Spelman College
St. John’s University (NY)
St. Olaf College
Stanford University
Suffolk University
Swarthmore College
Syracuse University
Tufts University
Tulane University
Union College
University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Chicago
University of La Verne
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of New Mexico
University of Notre Dame
University of Oregon
University of Pennsylvania
University of Rochester
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco
University of Southern California
University of Washington – Seattle
University of Washington – Bothell
University of Washington – Tacoma
Wake Forest University
Washington State University
Wellesley College
Wesleyan University
Western Washington University
Whitman College
Whitworth University
Willamette University
Williams College
Yale University
E:
E: eartugue@rainierscholars.org C: 253.666.5074