Talent Search is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to encourage students (in school, and out-of-school) to complete high school and to pursue a college education. Educational workshops, cultural events, and social experiences are provided throughout the year to accomplish this goal.
Program participants receive:

• Advice and assistance in course selection
• Assistance in completing financial aid applications (including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
• Career planning and development
• Connections to academic tutoring
• Information on Federal student financial aid programs and benefits
• Preparation for college enrollment (e.g. college application completion, FAFSA completion, etc.)
• Opportunities to attend college tours
• Resources for locating scholarships
• Test preparation for college entrance examinations (e.g. ACT)

The Renaissance Talent Search project supports 500 participants annually in Durham County. If your son/daughter is interested in applying to this program, please click here.

Upward Bound is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Upward Bound provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. Upward Bound is designed to encourage and prepare high school students to graduate from high school and pursue a college education, while increasing the skills and motivation necessary to be successful for such endeavors. Upward Bound accomplishes this goal through educational/cultural workshops during the academic year, a rigorous six-week summer component, and a freshman institute.
Program participants receive:

• Academic tutoring
• Advice and assistance in course selection (including AP courses)
• Assistance in completing financial aid applications (including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
• Career planning and development
• Financial and economic literacy development
• Information on Federal student financial aid programs and benefits
• Instruction in mathematics, laboratory science, foreign language, composition and literature
• Preparation for college enrollment (e.g. college application completion, FAFSA completion, etc.)
• Test preparation for college entrance examinations (e.g. ACT)
• Study and test-taking skills and strategies

The Renaissance Upward Bound project supports 55 students annually in both Durham and Edgecombe Counties. If your son/daughter is interested in applying to this program, please click here.

The Future Leaders Institute is a series of student-centered, experiential learning events. The work of The Future Leaders Institute, Inc. focuses on leadership, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, career exploration, and academic preparation for high school students. Activities are designed to increase self-awareness and self-efficacy, develop leadership skills, and promote resiliency.

Events and workshops include:

• Day retreats for high school youth (focused on leadership development, financial and economic literacy, entrepreneurship, and career and academic development)
• This project consists of an academic year component and an out of school or school break component for current program participants
• Annual Emerging Scholars Conference (a back-to-school event)

The Future Leaders Institute primarily serves students who attend schools in Durham and Edgecombe Counties. If your son/daughter is interested in applying to this program, please click here.

The Renaissance House provides temporary, emergency sheltering services for youth ages 12-17 within Durham County. Primary beneficiaries of this project are youth who are runaway, homeless, throwaways, or at-risk of becoming a street youth.

Program and services include:

• Health services, educational opportunities, and workforce information to become engaged towards self-sufficiency
• Immediate housing accommodations for up to 21 days
• Food, clothing, counseling, and referrals for health care
• Family reunification and the strengthening of family relationships through counseling
• Transition services

Youth, in need of services should contact:

• The Renaissance House at 1-888-416-1736;
• The National Runaway Switchboard at 1-800-786-2929; or
• Visit the nearest Safe Place

Free

Eligible Students who remain in good standing throughout the summer will receive at $60 stipend at the end of the summer session (Upward Bound Only).

Students may not have a job that interferes with their participation in any summer activity.

In order to be excused from summer activities, parents must complete a Request for Leave form before the summer session begins. Forms will be provided prior to summer.

UB - Students will engage in academic courses that will prepare them for courses they will take in the future including Math, English, Laboratory Science, and Foreign Language. Additional classes have included ACT Prep, Healthy Relations, and Robotics/Technology. Additionally, students participate in socially and culturally enriching activities. Such activities have included The American Dance Festival, Talent Shows, Socials, Quiz Bowl, the Pro-Am Basketball Tournament, and Durham Bulls Baseball games, among others.

TS – The Summer Institute represents a new and unique academic offering for Renaissance Scholars. These topics provide student program participants with academic enrichment, leadership development, financial literacy workshops, career development, and college planning.

The 2012-2013 summer sessions (Upward Bound & Talent Search) will not be residential. More details regarding hours of operation, transportation, and schedules will be made available prior to summer.

Yes! Summer courses will utilize curriculum from Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

In the case of a family emergency when action must be taken concerning the student, parents should contact the Upward Bound Summer Coordinator. If you are unable to reach the Summer Coordinator, parents should contact the office at (919) 416-1736.

In the event of severe weather conditions (e.g. hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.) parents/guardians and students should adhere to the following procedures.

A.) If inclement weather occurs "prior to" an event/workshop:

1. Check the local weather channel for forecasted weather patterns.

2. Call (919) 416-1736 and listen to the voicemail no more than three (3) hours prior to the beginning of the event/workshop.

3. If severe weather has occurred/is occurring, a voicemail message will indicate whether an event/workshop has been canceled.

B.) If inclement weather occurs "during" an event/workshop being in session:

1. Remain calm.

2. Trust that staff members are diligently working through the situation to establish the students' safety first. Once this has been established, staff members will contact parents/guardians directly. If the parent is unavailable, one of the student's emergency contacts will be notified.

3. In any inclement weather questions arise, call (919) 416-1736.

While it is our intent to contact every parent/guardian in a reasonable amount of time, our primary goal is to ensure the safety and well-being of our participants.

The following is prohibited: hot pants or daisy dukes, cut-off pants, clothes with holes, dirty clothes, tight-fitting clothes (staff will decide what is too tight), tube tops, halter tops, clothing depicting obscenities, muscle shirts, and tank tops. No do-rags, scarves, or other non-religious headdress shall be worn.

The following is allowed: walking shorts (non-athletic), skirts, denim, Capri's, slacks, blouses, t-shirts, tennis shoes, walking shoes, summer dresses, and flip flops.
Students should remember the following:

• Hats are to be removed upon entering the building: if hats are not removed they will be confiscated

• Sagging pants are not permitted.

• Bottoms should be fingertip length or longer.

Cell phones are not to be used during class time, breaks, or special activities/workshops. Cell phones will be confiscated if used during these times. If a cell phone is confiscated, it will not be returned until the end of the summer session or institute (Reference the Guidelines for Cell Phone Usage Form for more information).

Students should report to a summer staff person. The staff person will determine follow-up services. If ill and contagious, the student must be picked up by a parent/guardian.

While students are occasionally sick during the summer program, we expect students to fully participate in each day's activities. Students who are consistently sick and miss classes are simply unable to benefit from the program. Students are asked to schedule appointments (medical, dental, etc.) that don't conflict with summer activities.

If a student suffers from any known allergies (food, dust, etc.), please list them on the appropriate medical form. It is very important the staff is made aware of any allergies or chronic conditions that a student may suffer from; therefore, please ensure that you speak with a Coordinator if your child has a chronic illness (such as asthma) that may impact their participation in summer activities.

Upward Bound Summer Session will be from June 17, 2013 – July 26, 2013
Talent Search Summer Institute will be from June 24, 2013 – July 19, 2013 (1-2 week institutes only)