Generous corporate and individual Shepherds Sponsors underwrite these programs, so there is no additional expense for the student or their family.

Programs

Study & Life Skill Workshops
  • Study and Organizational Skills Workshop: A compulsory workshop for incoming freshman at Kolbe, this 10 week, 1-hour workshop focuses on organization, time management, note-taking and study skills.
  • Social Skills Workshops: The six week, 1-hour workshop, primarily for second year students, focuses on helping our young people establish professional etiquette, including: table manners, how to compose thank you notes, email and cell phone etiquette and conversational sessions to foster a more formal approach to language.
  • Cultural Enrichment Activities: We schedule a series of cultural enrichment activities, including museum visits, exposure to theater and live sporting events which students are encouraged to attend with their mentors.
Academic Support Workshops
  • Tailored Online Academic Help: Through our partnership with Khan Academy, we provide our students with tailored, online academic help which targets their individual weaknesses and helps boost their skills for overall college readiness.
  • Intensive STEM Achievement Camps: Our achievement camps, which take place over the summer, focus on boosting our students’ reading comprehension and math skills, using fun, 21st century curricula combining Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
College Prep
  • SAT Prep: TEST PREP was retained by Shepherds to conduct 10-week sessions for Shepherds Juniors, on-site at Kolbe in Bridgeport and Notre Dame of West Haven. Attendance is mandatory. Each student is required to take two proctored SAT practice tests and attend a two and a half hour session for the duration of a 10-week period. Shepherds staff oversees these sessions to ensure student attendance.
  • College Visits and Off-to-College Workshops: Shepherds works with college admissions counselors to facilitate group visits and information sessions at different colleges. Transportation is fully funded by institutional grants. We also provide Off-to- College workshops which helps our students come to terms with what to expect once they get to college.
Life & Career Prep Opportunities
  • Interview Technique Workshops: This program is made possible by our corporate sponsor and volunteers. Shepherds students are coached on the most effective interviewing techniques as per Human Resource professionals.
  • Corporate Introductions: Through partnerships with key corporate sponsors, Shepherds provides the opportunity for upper classmen to experience shadowing a professional at their corporate offices for a day. As a result, our students gain insight into corporate life, leadership values and skills and are exposed to different professional careers. The program opens the doors for future internships as well. A rigorous application process is required.