Gateway to College Grads!

Celebrating its 20^th anniversary, Gateway to College is an alternative education program for School District of Philadelphia students, ages 16 to 21, who have disengaged from high school, but would like to earn a diploma. Students also earn college credit toward a degree or certificate. Here are three graduates from the Class of 2026:

August Giardina-Taylor

August (Gus) has maintained a 4.1 high school GPA and 3.6 college GPA. While in the Gateway program, he has effectively juggled schoolwork, traveling around the world playing volleyball as an international athlete, coaching volleyball at South Philadelphia high school and participating in Gateway to College's National Honor Society. Gus will be graduating with 56 transferrable college credits and has been accepted to Widener University, where he will receive the Presidential Scholarship, or $32,000 a year and up to $128,000 over four years.

Jasiah Jones Jasiah was inducted into the National Honor Society (NHS) Chapter at Gateway to College on April 9. He embodies the NHS tenets of scholarship, leadership, character and service. Jasiah has maintained a 3.1 high school GPA and a 3.1 college GPA. He will graduate with 50 transferrable college credits. Because of his commitment to academic excellence, Jasiah has been accepted to Rutger’s University with an $84,000 scholarship offer.

Aaron Aldrich

Aaron has maintained a 3.4 high school GPA and has achieved a 95% monthly attendance rate as a dual enrollment student. His commitment to his studies has allowed him to earn 43 transferrable college credits. He plans to continue his studies in business at Widener University and was offered a $136,000 scholarship.