Congratulations to Thomas Jefferson High School where 21 members of the Class of 2008, through participation in the Academic Success Program, have accumulated over $8 million in scholarships and aid. These students will attend Dartmouth U., U. of Pennsylvania, Boston College, William & Mary, TCU and SMU. All members of the ASP class are the first in their families to attend college, are defined as low income, completed 12 Advanced Placement courses and were admitted to an average of 11 colleges and universities.
Founded by Thomas A. Urquidez of Wichita Falls, Texas (pictured at left with his wife and TJ students), the Academic Success Program is a comprehensive high school program that helps urban high school students prepare for college. ASP’s primary focus is on students who are the first in their families to attend college. ASP helps students first realize that college is within their grasp and then provides them with the tools necessary to make their dreams a reality. Students were chosen based on strong academic credentials and on their willingness to commit to ASP’s mission of building a culture of college-bound students in Dallas ISD. The Dallas program is under the direction of the founder’s son Thomas J. Urquide of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP.
