Talent Search Program (TS)

Talent Search (TS) is a counseling and information program developed at DDC in 1977 that serves over 825 young people a year. Talent Search offers college and career counseling, academic support services, and personal development workshops. An academic component helps 60 intermediate school students and over 600 high school students and young adults attend counseling and information workshops, tutoring and SAT preparation, and over 100 students receive program services conducted by TS staff in local schools. Once admitted, students are expected to remain with the Center until they enter college.

The Talent Search Program serves students in grades 7-12 who seek help in preparing for high school entrance, high school graduation, and college enrollment. TS also works with high school and college reentry candidates up to age 27.

Students from the following middle schools are given special consideration when they apply: Booker T. Washington; Joan of Arc; and Thurgood Marshall.

Students from the following high schools are given special consideration when they apply: Louis D. Brandeis; Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics; Martin Luther King, Jr.; and George Washington Campus (Health Careers & Science, Media & Communications).

Talent Search Activities

Middle school youngsters attend tutoring and workshops after school and incentive trips on weekends. In the summer there is a full day program of 3 academic classes, tutoring, special interest clubs, health classes, trips and lunch on campus.

High school students attend PSAT/SAT preparation, academic, college and career advising workshops, personal development forums and weekend conferences. Special activities include the career development program and the English Skills review. In the summer, high school students receive afternoon academic mini-courses, personal development workshops, SAT preparation, trips and pre-professional conferences.

Parental Involvement

At Double Discovery, we value the opinions and needs of our parents. For this reason, all parents must attend mandatory meetings focused on issues concerning student academic progress. Individual meetings with the Talent Search staff can also be arranged if concerns need to be addressed.

Upward Bound Program (UB)

The Upward Bound Program (UB) is one of the original pilot programs created in 1965 as part of President Johnson's "War on Poverty". UB is an intensive, year-round college preparatory program that assists over 165 high school students who exhibit serious academic need as indicated by a low academic average at the time of admission. Once enrolled, students are assigned an advisor who provides support with academic, personal, and college-related issues and remain participants in the program until graduation. Academic, career, college and counseling services are provided year-round. The program also offers a 6 week summer residential academic program on the Columbia University campus.

New applicants to the Upward Bound Program must be in the 9th or 10th grade. Due to federal guidelines, participants must be either low-income or first generation college-bound, but preference is given to candidates who are both.

In addition, students from the following target high schools are given special consideration when they apply: Louis D. Brandeis; Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics; Martin Luther King, Jr. (Arts & Technology, Law Advocacy & Community Justice); and George Washington Campus (Health Careers & Science, Media & Communications).

Upward Bound Activities

All of the program's high school students attend 2 academic classes on Saturdays and tutoring at least twice a week after school. Students must also attend Student Development Seminars, SAT preparation and college, academic and personal group and individual counseling regularly throughout the week. Incentive trips and science related laboratories and lectures are also held each term.

In the summer, students attend a 6 week residential academic program on Columbia's campus which provides 3 academic classes, tutoring, a health class, special interest clubs, trips, and health awareness. Students also receive dormitory housing, three meals a day, books and twenty-four hour supervision.

Parental Involvement

Frequent meetings and workshops encourage parental participation and foster strong communication between the program and parents. Important program and college preparation information is covered during meetings. Additionally, the UB staff is available for individual appointments to discuss academic and college planning strategies and to provide general support. The UB Parent Association holds yearly elections and sponsors activities that support the Center and its students.

Center-wide Activities

Students receive college/financial aid advising and use of the college library. DDC sponsors fall and spring local, overnight, and 1 week long college trips. Academic, athletic and debate contests foster healthy competition year round. DDC offers computers with multimedia and internet capability daily. Individual and group academic, career, and family counseling is available. Adult responsibility programs for males and females are offered year-round. Workshops led by staff are offered to youth in local schools and agencies. Meetings, forums and parent/teacher meetings inform and empower parents. Volunteer tutors, mentors, teachers and facilitators work with students.