Christina’s Glasgow High 1 of 26 nationally honored for college access efforts

Glasgow High School in the Christina School District has been recognized as one of 26 schools nationwide for their exceptional efforts in guiding students toward higher education.

The ACT’s American College Application Campaign (ACAC) picked the schools, with Glasgow the lone representative from the First State.

These schools, celebrated as recipients of the sixth annual School of Excellence awards, have shown outstanding commitment to helping first-generation college students and those from under-resourced communities navigate the complex college application process.

Since its inception, the ACAC has aimed to make higher education more accessible, particularly for students who might not otherwise consider applying to college.

This year’s award-winning schools stood out for their dedication to breaking down the barriers of college admissions, ensuring that all students, regardless of background, have the opportunity to pursue a degree or other postsecondary credentials.

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Janet Godwin, CEO of ACT, praised the dedication of the schools.

“Each year, we are inspired by the commitment of schools across the country to help students take the next step toward their postsecondary goals,” she said. “These schools are making the college application process more accessible and less intimidating, which is crucial in giving more students the opportunity to pursue higher education.”

Attempts to reach Christina School District for comment on the achievement were immediately unsuccessful Friday.

According to the Delaware State Report Card, Glasgow has a graduation rate of 77% and a career and/or college readiness rate of 68%.

The process of applying to college can be daunting for many students, especially for those who are the first in their family to attend college.

To combat this, the recognized schools held events lasting anywhere from one week to a full month, during which high school seniors received hands-on support, guidance, and encouragement to complete their college applications.

These events included college fairs, financial aid workshops, career days, and even campus visits, all aimed at simplifying the application process and building student confidence.

In total, more than 5,800 high schools participated in ACAC’s college application events in 2024, with over 477,000 seniors submitting at least one college application—a notable increase of more than 10,000 submissions compared to the previous year.

Students collectively submitted more than 1.3 million applications during the campaign, further demonstrating the impact of these efforts.

Lisa King, Director of ACAC, shared her pride in the success of the initiative, noting,

“There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing our state coordinators work directly with students. It’s clear that when students feel supported and confident, they are more likely to apply to college and pursue their dreams.”

Since its launch in 2005, ACAC has supported nearly 5.17 million students who have collectively submitted over 10 million college applications, underscoring the long-term impact of the program in helping students achieve postsecondary success.

The 26 award-winning schools represent a diverse range of communities across the country, serving as exemplary models of how dedicated efforts to support students can foster greater college access and success for all.

Glasgow will be honored with a ceremony Monday, April 7 at 9 a.m.