Simon Scholars - From Adversity to Accomplishment A unique high school and college scholarship empowering students to achieve the American dream of independence and self-sufficiency


Timeline

During its 10-year history, the Simon Scholars Program has compiled a strong track record of success. The Simon Scholars Program is run exactly the way successful businesses are run by developing and delivering great products (our students) with great support and personal attention to details. The Simon Scholars initiative is committed to continuous improvement, with each year building upon the success of the previous.

619 scholarships valued at more than $20 million have been awarded by Foundations supported by Ron Simon. Of the students who have entered the Simon Scholars Program, 92% successfully graduated from high school and 83% are still active today or have graduated from college. Of the Simon Scholars who started college, over 86% have graduated from college or are on track to graduate within 5 years. This success far exceeds the national average graduation rate of only 10% for students from similar backgrounds.

Historical Highlights Include:

2003
  • Simon Scholars Program established in Santa Ana, CA with high school Class of 2005
2004
  • New Simon Scholar chapters open in Atlanta, GA and Santa Fe, NM
2005
  • First class of Simon Scholars graduate high school and enter college
  • Intensive support and training program for Simon Scholars is implemented
2008
  • San Diego County chapter for Simon Scholars Program is established in Oceanside, CA
2009
  • First class of Simon Scholars graduate college from Harvard, UC Berkeley, Smith College, UC Irvine, UC San Diego and UC Riverside
  • The Simon Foundation for Education and Housing is founded by Ron Simon to launch the Simon Scholars Program nationally and to meaningfully address the critical need for affordable housing for America's working families
  • The Foundation is awarded the 2009 NSPA Scholarship Provider of the Year by the National Scholarship Providers Association
  • The Simon Foundation for Education and Housing and America's Promise Alliance form affiliation
2010
  • The Simon Scholars Candidate Grant Program for high school freshmen and sophomores is launched at Cesar Chavez Parkside High School in Washington D.C. in partnership with America's Promise Alliance. Cesar Chavez High School serves some of the most severely disadvantaged students in the nation.
  • The Simon Scholars Program launches national program in partnership with America's Promise Alliance.
2010
  • Simon Scholars Program achieve 89 % retention rate of students that either have graduated from college or are still in the Simon Scholars program in high school or college
2010
  • New Simon Scholar Chapter opens in Washington DC
  • The largest number of scholars were chosen this year from all chapters, a total of 107 students selected and a commitment of over $3.2 million to fund the program for these students

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