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About the Program

Group photo of students in white T-shirts and shorts, standing and kneeling outdoors on a sunny campus walkway with trees and a tall stone building in the background.
WHO IS WOLVERINE PATHWAYS FOR?

Wolverine Pathways seeks to confront the barriers that limit the college and career aspirations of highly motivated students from under-resourced communities. We believe that every student deserves the opportunity to pursue a wide range of professional and academic pathways. Toward this end, we provide free college preparatory enrichment and guidance for 7th though 12th grade students for whom one of the following applies:

Live within the Detroit Public Schools Community District

Live within the boundaries of Southfield Public or Ypsilanti Community school districts

Attend one of our Partner Schools in Grand Rapids or Saginaw

Year-round programming

Fall
Scholars meet up to seven Saturdays: Mostly virtual sessions (90-120 minutes), complemented by 1-2 all-day field trips or on-campus explorations. 7th-9th graders advance their mathematical thinking, 10th and 11th graders amplify their college preparatory knowledge, and 12th graders complete their college applications with support.
Winter
During the winter term, programming continues to vary by grade level, with 7th-9th graders continuing math enrichment, 10th and 11th graders pursuing SAT preparation, and 12th grade scholars participating in college transition work shops, opportunities, and celebrations.
Summer
Wolverine Pathways scholars meet 2-4 weeks during the summer. Our 10th-12th grade students are granted flexibility to choose from a range of summer courses, camps, and internship options to meet participation requirements. National and international summer travel programs are also available.
Fall Scene on Campus
Fall
Scholars meet up to seven Saturdays: Mostly virtual sessions (90-120 minutes), complemented by 1-2 all-day field trips or on-campus explorations. 7th-9th graders advance their mathematical thinking, 10th and 11th graders amplify their college preparatory knowledge, and 12th graders complete their college applications with support.
Winter Scene on Campus
Winter
During the winter term, programming continues to vary by grade level, with 7th-9th graders continuing math enrichment, 10th and 11th graders pursuing SAT preparation, and 12th grade scholars participating in college transition work shops, opportunities, and celebrations.
Summer Scene on Campus
Summer
Wolverine Pathways scholars meet 2-4 weeks during the summer. Our 10th-12th grade students are granted flexibility to choose from a range of summer courses, camps, and internship options to meet participation requirements. National and international summer travel programs are also available.

Curriculum

7th Grade
  • Orientation & community building
  • Math instruction
  • Success coaching
8th Grade
  • High school readiness
  • Math instruction & field trips
  • Success coaching
9th Grade
  • College prep curriculum
  • Math instruction & field trips
  • Success coaching
10th Grade
  • SAT Test prep
  • U-M Flint campus visit
  • College Prep Conference
  • U-M academic residential and day summer camps
11th Grade
  • SAT Test Prep
  • U-M Dearborn Campus visit
  • Professional Development Conference
  • Internship fair
  • Career prep
  • Essay coaching
12th Grade
  • College essay assistance 
  • College application boot camp
  • College prep & transition workshops
  • Financial aid nights
  • Senior Overnighter – 3-day, 2-night stay on U-M Ann Arbor campus
  • Students in a school setting stand close together as one adjusts another’s red, white, and blue striped tie while others watch and smile.
  • Four young people pose together in a school hallway, smiling at the camera, wearing formal outfits and colorful accents, with a stained-glass window in the background.
  • A group of students in casual clothing walk together along a campus walkway lined with trees and brick paths, with benches and stone walls on both sides.
  • A person writing in a notebook at a desk by a large window, with stationery and paper rolls nearby; a chair and workspace accessories sit on the table while greenery fills the background.
  • Two people shake hands on a stage during a graduation event, with a purple backdrop reading “Wolverine Pathways” and “Class of 2022” behind them.
  • Two people holding certificates and smiling at a university awards backdrop with yellow “M” logos, while another person stands in the foreground and a large camera lens partially blocks the left side.

What Are the Benefits?

Our students and families participate in year-round programming that facilitates their college preparation and academic development. Wolverine Pathways scholars are challenged to grow socially and emotionally by joining our community of college-oriented scholars.

Four-year Tuition Scholarships at U-M 
Academic Resilience
Social & Emotional Growth
College Preparation
College & Career Success
Personal & Professional Development

All Wolverine Pathways scholars who successfully complete the program and are admitted to U-M Ann Arbor or U-M Dearborn receive full, four-year tuition scholarships at the university.

Impact Report Cover
2025 Impact Report
Learn more about Wolverine Pathways and the many benefits the program offers to students, their families, and the greater community.
Download PDF
Support
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