Grant Year: 2023, 2024, 2025
Camelot Summer Institute (CSI) is a summer bridge program that serves incoming 9th graders at W.C. Overfelt High School. The goals of CSI are to increase academic performance of 9th graders, ease the transition to high school, and promote a college-going culture. CSI is an essential part of the East San Jose school’s plan as students are connected to teachers, graduates from Overfelt that serve as tutors, and current high school students that serve as role models and leaders. Students who attend CSI gain a sense of belonging to the school community that is essential to achieving the school’s vision. All CSI students complete one A-G college preparatory course, which gives them a head start prior to starting high school. Students who participate in CSI are more comfortable, know how to access resources, and understand and respect the school culture.
CSI serves students mirror the demographics of Overfelt High School which are: 83% Latino, 4% Filipino, 8% Asian, 2% African American, 1% Pacific Islander, and 1% White. Between 87% and 92% qualify for free and reduced lunch. 65% of Overfelt students were designated as Limited English Proficient (LEP). Only 20% of the student population at Overfelt have English as their primary language. 67% of parents do not have a high school diploma, and 21% are high school graduates. Only 6% have completed a post-secondary degree or certification. Overfelt is the only school in the East Side Union High School District organized into schoolwide learning communities and pathways, aided by a Smaller Learning Communities Grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Learning academies include electronic/pre-engineering, multimedia, child development and education career preparation.
CSI has been operating at Overfelt in various iterations consistently since the summer of 2001. It has become an expectation of their community and has proven to strengthen the school’s determination to be united and committed to the common goal of preparing for academic success and to instill the importance of going to a four-year college. CSI provides college readiness curriculum, community building field trips, and mentorships of upperclassmen and college tutors. With the majority of each freshmen class participating, the high school is able to establish academic expectations and behavioral norms from the first day of school in August.