Early College Grant Application Process

Thank you for your interest in applying for an Early College for Native Youth grant. Please follow the grant application process below, adhering closely to eligibility requirements and addressing all questions within the space limitations for the concept paper.

The Center for Native Education will respond to all inquiries in a timely manner.

If you have any questions regarding the grant application process, please call Center Director Nicole Adams at (206) 268-4140 or email her at nadams@antiochseattle.edu.

Step One: Review Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants can be high schools or districts, tribes, American Indian/Alaskan Native organizations, or colleges or universities.
• Applicants must document prior successful, educational programming experience and a partnership with a tribal or urban Indian community.
• Applicants must commit to developing an Early College high school that will serve 250 to 400 students by the fourth year of grant funding. At least 50% of the school's enrollment must consist of American Indian/Alaskan Native students. Student enrollment should include grades 6-12 since it will be necessary to develop the academic skills of middle school students. The actual Early College high school can be a grades 9-12 site or a grades 6-12 or 7-12 school. Extra consideration will be given to those applicants who also seek to include up to 50 adults in the college classes at the new school.
• Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to sustain an Early College high school beyond the grant period. Grant funds catalyze a new secondary school model and are intended to cover start-up costs only.

Step Two: Submit a Concept Paper with a Cover Letter and Summary

Applicants should submit a concept paper that will be evaluated based upon its adherence to the Center's Early College high school design. The concept paper should address the seven Early College criteria listed here:

• Size – How many students do you think will be enrolled in the Early College by the fourth and final year of grant funds? Why do you assume your school will be this size? How many students do you envision at each grade level? What is the feasibility of your site serving adults as well?
• Type – Do you intend to start a new school, convert an entire existing charter or other school into an Early College or create an Early College within an existing high school? Please note, to create a separate Early College within a larger high school, there must be distinct facility space, curriculum and cohorts of teachers and students. What is your preferred approach and why?
• Demographics – What percentage of American Indian and Alaska Native students will be enrolled by the fourth year of the grant funds, and why do you believe this estimate to be the case? What tribes or urban Indian groups will your Early College serve? How many will qualify for free and reduced lunch?
• Tribal Participation – Please describe tribal involvement in applying for this grant. How will the tribe or urban Indian community be involved in the planning, implementation and sustainability of the Early College?
• Governance – Please describe how the partners (tribal, urban Indian organization, college or university, school district, other) will co-govern the proposed school, including any relevant history of collaboration that has taken place among the partners.
• Theme and Culture – What are your plans to create a Native American themed school, one that will incorporate contemporary and historical tribal society into the culture of the school, including college preparatory and college courses?
• Capacity – What kinds of financial, physical, human, community and other resources will the tribal, district and college partners contribute to the Early College and its sustainability? What are the sources of  those resources? How has your group been successful in securing commitments for youth development or educational programs to date?

Along with the concept paper, a cover letter should include contact information, proposed school name and attached letters of support from the leaders of key stakeholder groups: tribes, higher education and/or schools. The letter should include a statement about why your organization is a strong candidate to develop an Early College according to the Center's criteria.

Finally, applicants should provide a one-page description of what their Early College high school will look like once it is up and running. Please describe your vision of the school when it is fully operational.

Concept papers should be limited to six double-spaced pages written in 12-point font. (Documents showing support from tribes, tribal organizations, school districts, colleges, community leaders or others are in addition to this page limit.) Concept papers should be sent via postal service and e-mail to:

Dr. Linda Campbell, Executive Director
Center for Native Education-Antioch University Seattle
2326 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121-1814
lcampbell@antiochseattle.edu

Step Three: Follow Up Discussion, If Necessary

The Center for Native Education understands the model Early College school presents a considerable challenge for school developers who seek funding. It requires a fundamental shift in the way a school and community think about education from grades 6-12, about curriculum and pedagogy and about the relationships among a tribe, school, college and the students they serve. After reviewing the concept paper, Center staff may have further questions for the applicant and the applicant may have questions for Center staff. We may ask to schedule a follow up conference call to discuss these questions.

Step Four: Invitation to Submit a Full Proposal

After the review of the concept paper and follow up discussion, the Center will notify your contact person whether your group is invited to submit a full proposal. The full request for proposal, including guidelines and instructions, can be downloaded from the Center's website.

Step Five: Site Visit, If Necessary

At this stage of the process, Center staff may schedule a site visit to visit the community and proposed site for the Early College. 

Step Six: Grant Award

Based on the application process we will make the decision whether to provide your organization with a grant award. You will be contacted by Center Executive Director Linda Campbell with the decision.