The Library Foundation supports Student Smart, a collaborative program between the Los Angeles Public Library and The Princeton Review. Student Smart is designed to help middle and high school students prepare for college. Student Smart features free seminars and college entrance test-taking practice sessions. Hundreds of middle and high school students in each of LAPL's six regions and the downtown Central Library participate in the programs each year.

In response to increased demand and donor support from The Duttenhaver Fund and Sterling Foundation, the Library will offer 56 seminars in 2009-10. Workshop topics for 2009-10 include: Common College Admission Myths; Financial Aid; Improve Your Study Habits; Introduction to ACT/SAT/PSAT and Test Taking Strategies; and Getting Into the College of Your Choice. Students also have the opportunity to take, at no cost, full-length SAT and ACT practice tests, which are administered in "real time" and scored by Princeton Review staff. Seventy-seven of these practice tests are scheduled during 2009-10. The week following the tests, Princeton Review staff offers a free strategy and information session for each student and their parents during which Princeton Review staff will review the scores and counsel on ways to improve. Students who attend the follow-up counseling session receive a free copy of Princeton Review's book, Cracking the SAT.

In addition to the above programs, Student Smart offers two motivational seminars aimed at eighth graders. The first took place in October 2009, focusing on students at four schools in South Central, who came to the Central Library for talks by two inspirational speakers, including the CEO of the Princeton Review. These talks stress the importance of staying in school and also acquaint the students with the resources offered by the library.

Current Schedule of Student Smart programs

To learn more about funding opportunities for Web services and Student Smart, please contact Dawn Coppin, Director of Foundation Relations, at (213) 228-7502.

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