Graduate Support Program
Welcome to the Graduate Support Program
My name is Gina Spohr, and I am the Graduate Support Director here at The De La Salle School (TDLSS). As the Graduate Support Director, my role is to help all TDLSS students and graduates gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in high school and beyond.
On this page, you’ll learn more about the Graduate Support Program (GSP) at TDLSS and how we continue to support our students even after they leave our school.
If you have any questions about our GSP, please feel free to contact me:
- Email: gspohr@delasalleschool.org
- Phone: (516) 379-8660
About the Graduate Support Program
Mission Statement
The mission of the Graduate Support Program (GSP) at The De La Salle School (TDLSS) is to empower all of our alumni, regardless of how long ago they graduated, to continuously grow in all areas of their lives, breaking down and overcoming barriers to achieve their highest potential. Through academic, social/emotional, and college/career initiatives, the GSP challenges all students and alumni to continue in the Lasallian tradition of being respectful, responsible, and others-centered leaders in their communities and beyond.
Vision Statement
The vision of the Graduate Support Program (GSP) at TDLSS is to see our students and alumni successfully navigate life’s challenges and opportunities. They will become authors of their own lives, creating and achieving their dreams while inspiring others to do the same. Through various programs and initiatives facilitated by TDLSS starting in middle school and continuing past graduation, our students and alumni will become intentional, compassionate, driven, respectful, and contributing members and leaders of society.
At The De La Salle School, we believe that:
- The holistic and financially accessible education all TDLSS students receive is crucial to their success and development across all facets of life.
- The experiences, backgrounds, strengths, skills, and diversity of the young men at TDLSS enrich our school community.
- All students and alumni of TDLSS have the potential to be changemakers, leaders, and role models.
- Both our current students and alumni are equally important to the mission of our school.
- Upon graduation, alumni and their families deserve and will have continued access to the Graduate Support Program and all its benefits.
Through the GSP, TDLSS students and alumni are prepared academically, socially, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and occupationally for success in middle school, high school, and all future endeavors.
Program Overview
What is a Graduate Support Program?
The concept of Graduate Support Programs began in 1971 with the Nativity Mission Center in New York City, a private Catholic middle school serving boys from immigrant and impoverished backgrounds. The GSP was designed to meet the continuing needs of The Nativity Mission Center alumni in high school and beyond, with interventions ranging from academic tutoring to social/emotional support.
Today, about 50 schools in the United States and Canada, including The De La Salle School, have a Graduate Support Program. TDLSS adopted this model when it opened in 2002, with the first GSP starting in 2006. Over time, the program has grown to include weekly Graduate Support nights, high school tuition support, and a full-time Graduate Support Director.
Stages of Support
Middle School
- The GSP at TDLSS begins in middle school, with 7th and 8th graders participating in a weekly Prep class that covers a range of topics, including academic success skills, an introduction to high school, the high school application process, time management skills, college and career development, and much more.
- Specific activities include high school application assistance, TACHS exam preparation, high school terminology, and life skills development.
- In 8th grade, the GSP works in tandem with students and families throughout the high school search, application, financial aid, and admissions processes in order to help place students in a best-fit high school.
High School
- In high school, the GSP continues to provide support, helping alumni with the development of critical skills for high school, college, and career.
- Activities include individual and small group counseling and guidance, workshops, tutoring, academic advising, college trips, college and financial aid application assistance, academic skills development, job placement support, referrals to community resources and enrichment opportunities, and more – all at no cost to families.
- For every alumnus who attends a Catholic high school, we provide $2,000 in financial assistance towards his high school tuition every year.
College & Career
- The GSP continues to empower alumni as they enter college, technical training, or the workforce, ensuring that they continue to thrive in their post-secondary endeavors.
- Activities include individual counseling and guidance, academic advising, resume editing, job application assistance, internship placement, interview skill development, networking events, and more.
- In collaboration with TDLSS Alumni Association, the GSP develops connections and mentoring relationships among alumni, strengthening bonds and creating a supportive community among the alumni of TDLSS
Success Stories
High School Success
Our alumni have attended and graduated from numerous prestigious high schools, such as Chaminade High School, Regis High School, and Kellenberg Memorial High School, and Holy Trinity Diocesan High School.
College Success
TDLSS graduates have gone on to pursue higher education at institutions like Princeton University, Boston University, and Stony Brook University.
Workforce Success
Our alumni have succeeded in various fields, including healthcare, engineering, finance, and the military, showcasing the long-term impact of the GSP.
How We Help Our Graduates
Continuous, Need-Driven Support
The Graduate Support Program maintains close relationships with students and families throughout their educational journey and beyond. This support includes regular meetings, consistent communication, and personalized guidance tailored to student and alumni needs. Whether it’s academic tutoring, financial aid guidance, life skills development, or career counseling, GSP ensures that no student or alumnus is left behind.
Personalized Guidance
GSP offers tailored support to each student, assisting them with everything from high school and college applications to securing internships and full-time employment. The program’s continuous communication with alumni helps ensure that they remain on track to achieve their goals, no matter where they are in their journey.