Events

Challenge Scholars started three years ago with students from Harrison Park School (PK-8) and Westwood Middle School. Since then we’ve watched students grow and achieve. This year, the first class of Challenge Scholars are freshmen at Union High School.

To be more equitable, Challenge Scholars has expanded to include all incoming students at Union High School. This means that anyone who attends Union High School starting as a 9th grader, keeps their grades up, and shows good behavior can be a Challenge Scholar!

Challenge Scholars is helping to put college on the radar for students who may not have thought it was an option for them. Challenge Scholars is working closely with Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) to ensure all Union High School students, beginning with the class of 2020, have the opportunity to reach and afford college.

This is a big step, not just for new students at Union High School, but for the school itself. Challenge Scholars is one of the many ways that Union High School is working to improve their academics and provide students with the opportunity to excel. Challenge Scholars is excited to provide resources for the students as they work hard and continue to succeed.

"Challenge Scholars removes the barrier of financing college and provides hope and the opportunity for students at Union to dream big," said Karl Nelson, Principal at Union High School. "The access to high quality post-secondary education provided by Challenge Scholars will help students make their dreams a reality."