BRISTOL — Newfound Regional High School has become the only school in the state to participate in a program to increase the percentage of students who go on to college.

College for Every Student, formerly Foundation for Excellent Schools or FES, is a nonprofit organization committed to raising the academic aspirations and performance of underserved youth so that they can prepare for, gain access to, and succeed in college. It works with students from 110 inner-city and rural-based schools across the country. Since the organization's inception in 1991, it has helped over 100,000 underserved students get to college. In fact, 97 percent of students involved in the program in 2006 graduated from High School and enrolled in college.

"This is a remarkable number," said Director of Guidance Monica Jackson. "The program really works for rural and inner-city students."

Newfound Regional High School has joined with Plymouth State University for the program. The program will include college visits and mentoring programs involving PSU students and Newfound students. According to Principal Michael O'Malley, NRHS was made aware of the opportunity through the Department of Education website. Through the help of D.O.E. an application was submitted. The school was then informed by the state that NRHS had made the first cut. FES, along with the Pardoe Foundation, performed a site visit and interviewed members of the Newfound community. NRHS then received a letter saying they had been selected.

Jackson said that a selection process was then done, with a questionnaire sent out to faculty members. They were looking at many aspects like whether the student had been mentored during school, financial capability and if they would be first in their family to attend college.

"This is both an academic and goal oriented program," said Jackson. "It is for students who could use a little more push to channel their potential."

O'Malley said that after being named to the partnership, several members of the faculty attended an annual conference in Westbrook Conn. for training exercises. They trained with all the mid-Atlantic and Northeast schools involved.

Jackson said that there are three paths that the program focuses on. This includes mentoring, leadership and community services. Each participating school, including NRHS, identifies at least 50 Rural Scholars who participate in five core practices designed to help improve academic performance, attendance, raise aspirations and ensure that they graduate from high school and attend college. These five practices include mentoring, pathways to college, goal setting, leadership through services and families as partners.

Mentoring is a key part of the program because CFES recognizes the educational and personal benefits to students of a relationship with an older individual. This is where the partnership with PSU comes in. There have been plans for NRHS alum to come talk to the students involved. This includes those in college who can talk about their experiences as well as those who are in the real world who can talk about the various industries they are involved in.

"Mentoring provided by PSU students is a major part of the program," said NRHS faculty member Natalie Murphy. "It is a great opportunity for these students involved."

O'Malley highlighted community service as a major part of the program as well. He said that this form of leadership is a component that will allow students to focus on the quality of their experience in the program and life in general.

Jackson said that thee are plans to have a career day in the spring, where former graduates of Newfound will come in and speak about their fields. She said that the idea of this is for students to hear about the various occupations that are available after receiving college degrees.

Jackson noted that the CFES program is a stepping-stone to looking at goals for students' futures. She said that they want to teach students that there is an educational experience after high school.

"We want to stress that there is a need to include additional learning experiences after high school," said Jackson. "Learning doesn't stop once they receive a high school diploma. Whether it is a two or four year school or a tech program, this is one focus on the program."

Members of the NRHS faculty will be attending Bolton Landing N.Y. where they will attend a national conference on November 16 and 17. Being the newest school involved, it is where they will be introduced to all the other schools involved.

A spaghetti dinner has been scheduled for Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. at Newfound Regional High School for a kickoff celebration. Those present will include scholars of the program, parents, PSU partners and mentors.