While most kids in the summer are vacationing, twiddling their thumbs, or working at jobs, 71 students from across the U.S. and China were building a community during a period of four weeks. From June 17 to July 13, 2012, high school juniors and seniors went to Grand Rapids, Michigan for the Entrada Scholars Program and participated in many organized activities.

Located at Calvin College, the Entrada Scholars Program focuses on under represented minority students who are racially diverse in their backgrounds. Entrada, Spanish for “gateway,” offers a gateway into the future – college. For many kids, this program gives a small taste of college life and what learning can be like at Calvin.

Many of WCA’s administrators and teachers graduated from Calvin College such as Mr. Marsh, head of school, Mallory Scholten, upper school science teacher, and Kelsey Walton, upper school math teacher.

Before applying to this program, a high school junior or senior must have a B average (3.0 on a 4.0 scale).

In April, acceptance letters are sent out and admitted students fill out sheets that help determine their roommate that displays all the classes in which they can enroll. Classes range from English to history, biology, or psychology. Entrada students are only permitted one class in which an academic coach attends the class with them. Often times, a couple Calvin college students are in the class with them.

Also, all Entrada scholar is given a grant of $4,200 that pays for all activities planned on the weekends and meal plans. However, the student must provide his or her own transportation back and forth.

As June turns around, the accepted students head to Calvin College to begin orientation, learn how the program works and what it requires of their scholars. The first day, all the students and their families who came with them are introduced to the resident halls assistants, their academic coaches, and other workers who put the program together.

For the next four weeks at Calvin these students will have many opportunities to interact with other students their age who are immersed into different cultures. In the years past, there has been a plethora of people groups represented: Mexico, Spain, Brazil, Nigeria, South Korea, India, Native Americans, Dominican Republic, and many more.

For the first three to four days, students run through an orientation, in which they explore the campus of Calvin and also participate in team building activities. Every day, for two hours students attend a class in the morning, have lunch in the dining hall, and have some free time before heading to academic coaching. Their coach, who attends their class with them, gives the students helpful skills as she/ he aids them with their homework and provides strategies to improve note-taking.

“Entrada is the ultimate win-win situation.  Students from all over the country, from all over the world have the opportunity to live and learn in a Christ-centered, academically rigorous environment.  They learn from professors who are top in their field and live in a community of dedicated residence life staff.  They are able to walk away from this experience being more familiar with a college campus, having earned college credit and with friends who are diverse is so many ways,” said Tasha Cruz, Associate Director of Pre-College Programs and Visits at Calvin College.

In the evening on some days, cultural integration activities are planned. These events have students speak about their culture, values, and traditions. Gaining insight to many of their friends’ cultures, students help others understand why certain people groups act the way they do.

Life at Entrada is not all work and no play.

At the college, there are many athletic facilities students can spend time doing: swimming in the Olympic-sized swimming pool, rock climbing, and playing soccer on the field.

On Sundays, students have options of signing up to go to different churches in the Grand Rapids area.

Later in the evening on Sundays, students have a tremendous opportunity to lead worship in chapel. For twenty minutes or more, students lead worship in terms of playing the guitar, the piano, and other instruments, singing, and giving a testimony.

The Entrada Scholars program explores many aspects of college life and helps prepare students for the next big step in their education. While working hard, they also build tight-knit communities as they spend all their time getting to know each other. Additionally, students provide insight to their cultures while interacting.

“Many of these Entrada students appreciated the fact that they [seniors] could make friends before going to Calvin in the fall as freshmen. Getting a foot in the door for college life, these Entrada students get a big advantage – familiarizing with the campus and professors and potentially earning a scholarship to attend Calvin.

“I really encourage WCA kids to consider it!” said Sarah DeVries, upper and middle school French teacher.