What is the Career Ready Early Scholar Program (CRESP)?
The Career Ready Early Scholar Program (CRESP) represents a significant locally funded initiative backed by the Department of Employment Services (DOES). This Career Ready Program is specifically designed for District scholars, aged 9 to 13, currently in middle school or elementary school. CRESP offers a unique opportunity to participate in a comprehensive college and career exploration program. During the summer, this program delivers a diverse and hands-on learning experience, expertly guiding young scholars as they begin to discover various college and career pathways and cultivate essential skills crucial for their future success.
Through this impactful career ready program, we are dedicated to empowering scholars to:
- Earn stipends while simultaneously developing highly valuable academic, leadership, and personal enrichment skills. This combination is strategically designed to set them on a path to success throughout their educational journey, from grade school through higher education and beyond into their chosen careers.
- Gain invaluable exposure to a wide array of subjects that are critical in today’s world. These include financial literacy, college readiness, healthcare, public safety, STEM fields, entrepreneurship, AI and Robotics, and even the dynamic worlds of film, music, and entertainment, among others. This broad exposure is a cornerstone of the career ready program.
- Experience immersive learning in diverse settings all across the District. This includes learning opportunities within college and university campuses, as well as within DCPS public, private, or charter school environments, offering a rich and varied educational landscape as part of this career ready initiative.
- Although CRESP is structured as a short-term exploratory program, its overarching goal is profoundly impactful. We aim to thoroughly introduce our scholars to the core concepts of career and college readiness, workforce and leadership development, and crucial aspects of self-awareness and advocacy. These are foundational elements of preparing them for future career paths.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for this career ready program, District scholars must be between 9 and 13 years old. While youth who are 8 years old may apply, they must reach the age of 9 by September 30, 2025, to fully meet the age criteria for program entry.
Program Dates and Times:
The Career Ready Early Scholar Program offers sessions at different times of the year to accommodate various schedules:
- Spring Cohort Session: Monday, April 14, 2025, to Friday, April 18, 2025
- Summer Cohort Session: Monday, June 23, 2025 – Friday, August 1, 2025
Both program sessions operate daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, providing a structured and engaging schedule for all participants in this career ready program.
Important Resources
For more detailed information and to explore further resources about the Career Ready Early Scholars Program, please visit the official CRESP website.
Click here to access the new CRESP website!
U.S. Bank Focus Card Information
