Where college and curls collide.
MISSION
The Curly Code is a chapter-based Natural Hair Club for Black girls grades 7–12 that also teaches them about the nuances of college admissions.
We work to increase students' positive sense of self. Other programs bypass students' self-esteem, but we have to start there. Through the program students of color become informed consumers both of beauty brands and higher education. The Curly Code prepares students for with their first major business transaction, get into college, and figure out how to pay for it.
How We Do It
1. Teach students how to be educated consumers of beauty products.
We create simulations that require them to engage in a two part assessment before “purchasing” any beauty product. They assess their own needs and then assess whether any given product has the capacity to address those particular needs.
2. Teach student college knowledge.
They have a foundational understanding about how college admissions work.
3. Tie in their newfound consumer habits to their college knowledge and begin shopping for college.
This level of programming forces students to look at college admissions more intentionally both in the long term and short term, by asking critical questions and doing analysis based on their future goals.
Benefits
Time
We begin programming as early as 7th grade. That gives students a longer runway to acknowledge and adjust their academic habits in order to become the most competitive college applicant they can be.
Application
Our programming is created to replicate the college admissions process as closely as possible using case studies and group activities students leave learning the nuances of college admissions.
Resources
Students learn about college requirements much earlier on giving both the student and their families adequate time to plan.
Results
As per the College Board’s data hub, this is also the first time in my school's history that the juniors have broken 1000 average on the March SAT.
In total, 63% of scholars have a superscore of 1000+
14% of all scholars are 1200+ …amazing!
35% of all scholars are in the 1100-1199 range – also amazing!
14% of all scholars are in the 1000-1099 range
89% of Camp Curly Code participants GPAs increased by 21%.
93% of participants of The Curly Code SAT prep program Super Scored an average of 250 points
The Curly Code student leaders are attending some of the top colleges in the US including but not limited to, Emory, Bates, Smith, Lafayette, Franklin & Marshall and Leigh
The most recent cohort of 11th graders to participate in The Curly Code SAT prep program averaged 1100 on their first SAT
Of all of the NY schools in the network, my school saw the most growth YOY from the March 2019 exam.
“Camp Curly Code opened my eyes to all the possibilities of college. After that summer and seeing what colleges are requiring for academic scholarships I started 10th grade with a new focus.”
— Camp Curly Code 2020 Alum