TRANSFORMING DREAMS INTO REALITY, ONE STUDENT AT A TIME
Empowering Richmond's
Youth Through Higher
Education
ABOUT US
Empower Low-income Minority Students to Attend and Graduate
Since 2005, College Is Real has been a powerful catalyst in Richmond, California, dedicated to uncovering the remarkable potential of students from diverse backgrounds. By providing tailored education, inspiration, resources, and transformative support, we empower students to become the first in their families to attend and graduate from college, creating pathways that break through barriers and open doors to opportunities for academic, personal, and community growth. Many of CIR’s students are the first in their families to attend college.
Key Programs
[At College Is Real, we offer a comprehensive suite of programs tailored to guide students from high school to college success:]
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College Tours, Applications, and Scholarships
Exposing students to college environments and assisting with applications and financial aid
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Academic Counseling
Designing academic plans that meet university “A-G” admission requirements
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Mentoring
Pairing students individually or in groups with experienced mentors
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Summer Melt Program
Facilitating smooth transitions from high school to college
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College Success Program
Supporting students persistence to college graduation with counseling and scholarships
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Career Education
Providing career education opportunities through field trips and guest speakers
Upcoming Events
Testimonials
[Inspiring words from those whose lives have been transformed by College Is Real.]
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The difference between CIR and other college preparatory programs is the way it operates. CIR is always seeking ways to improve and implement new ideas that will benefit past, current, and future students.
— Destiney Norsouvanh, Richmond High Class of 2015, UC Santa Barbara Class of 2020 with a B.A. in Sociology and Education Studies Minor, Former CIR Program Director and Current CIR Board of Directors
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I’ve always cared about my education, but when I got to high school I didn’t know what steps I needed to take to make it to college. College Is Real made that path clear. They provided me with the resources and the guidance that has made everything up until this point possible.
— Miguel De La Cruz, Richmond High School Class of 2018, graduate of UC Santa Barbara in 2022 with a B.A. in Communication and a Sports Management Certification
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I always knew I wanted to go to college, but I often felt that I didn't have the resources or the opportunity to go to a four-year university. My parents never went to college and didn't know how to help me in school, nor did they understand what I was going through.
— Eva Oliveros, Sonoma State University
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CIR supports long-term success by showing you the path to strive and be successful at an institution of higher learning. In addition, it sets you up with opportunities to network with individuals with similar aspirations and a solid support system.
— Fabian Martinez, Richmond High Class of 2012, San Jose State University Class of 2017 with a B.S. in Kinesiology, Former CIR staff member
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Much if not all of my academic and life success developed through my participation with College Is Real. As a disoriented teenager entertained by the fast “street” life, I was not interested in furthering my post-secondary education. However, College Is Real introduced a desire and the importance of completing college, and such support is responsible for my success at an elite university like University of California, Berkeley.
— Rodrigo Corona Flores, Richmond High Graduate 2013 and UC Berkeley graduate 2017 with a B.A. in Social Welfare, and current CIR Board of Directors
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We know that Zach and I aren’t going to have this platform forever, but it’s amazing to think of what a little bit of hope, or compassion, or even just an opportunity, can help somebody succeed. So, we’ve partnered with College Is Real to provide funding to start a program at Kennedy High School.
— Julie Johnston Ertz, Two-Time FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion, Ertz Family Foundation
