COOL
(College Offers Opportunities for Life)
Why We Do It
The Memphis City Schools graduation rate is 66%. 100% of the inner-city high school seniors served by the COOL program were admitted to colleges last year (including Middle Tennessee State University, Union University, Crichton College, Christian Brothers University, Rhodes College, and Howard University), most with financial aid.
What We Do
MIFA COOL encourages and prepares high school students to pursue higher education. The program provides guidance with coursework, support for college entrance exams, assistance with the college admissions process, career counseling, financial aid application assistance, scholarship assistance, college tours, information for parents, essay-writing workshops, and many other resources for students.
What We've Done
Last year, 15 out of 15 high school seniors served by the COOL program were admitted to colleges. Since then, the program has grown to serve 180 teens at a time. The program is open to students from Booker T. Washington High School, G.W. Carver High School, and Central High School.
What Can You Do to Help?
You can donate money or school supplies to COOL, volunteer to mentor teens, or help with the program’s events during the year.
Our partners
This program is funded by generous contributions from the Irvin Lansky Foundation and the Children's Foundation.