TUFTS, SOMERVILLE REACH 5-YEAR PARTNERSHIP DEAL

SOMERVILLE

– The City of Somerville and Tufts University have reached a partnership

agreement through which Tufts will contribute $1.375 million over five years to

the City. As part of the agreement, Tufts will also waive the university’s

application fee for Somerville High School students and provide college

preparation assistance for Somerville students beginning in the sixth grade.

Tufts

will make annual payments to the City of $275,000, representing a significant

increase of nearly two-thirds more in financial payments, from $175,000 to

$275,000 per year, as well as the inclusion of the new provisions to both

support and benefit Somerville Public School students.

Those

provisions include Tufts agreeing to waive the $70 application fee for students

applying from Somerville High School and that the university’s Dean of

Undergraduate Admission will personally read and evaluate applications from

Somerville High School students. Tufts will bring the entire Somerville High

School ninth grade class to the university’s campus during the school year for

early exposure and awareness about the college process, and will offer SAT

preparation tutoring, essay writing workshops for applying students and writing

workshops for teachers who are preparing recommendations for their students.

“Tufts

has been a terrific community partner to Somerville and I’m thrilled we have an

agreement that not only provides funding for the City services used by the

Tufts community, such as police and fire, but more importantly gives our high

school students the support they need to enter college and fulfill their

greatest potential,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “I want to thank Tufts

University President Anthony P. Monaco for working with the City on this

agreement and continuing our great partnership.”

"Tufts is committed to continuing its strong

partnership with the City of Somerville," said Tufts University President

Anthony P. Monaco.  " I am pleased

that we have finalized this partnership agreement to further strengthen our

close engagement by contributing resources that can be used for a variety of

community purposes, the public schools and athletics programs. We strengthen

each other when we work together."

Other

support for Somerville students includes the Tufts Dean of Admissions sending a

personal letter inviting Somerville High School top performers, as identified

by the school’s guidance office, to apply for admission. Tufts admission staff

will visit Somerville High School each January to offer personal interviews for

students who have applied. It will also provide speakers to the high school for

assemblies about college readiness and admissions; offer the Kids to College

program for sixth graders; and reserve Triangle Field for City of Somerville

Youth Soccer each fall.

“Our partnership with Tufts University plays a critically

important role in preparing our students for success in college and beyond,”

said Tony Pierantozzi, Somerville Superintendent of Schools. “We’re fortunate

to have Tufts be such an active partner in preparing our students for a

globally competitive market. Tufts is a fantastic partner who is involved in

our school community in numerous ways, at every level. We look forward to continuing

to partner with them for many years to come.”

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Contact:

Denise Taylor 617-625-6600,

ext. 2103

City of Somerville

Katie Cinnamond 617-627-4703

Tufts University