Napa, CA – Napa Valley Unified School District (NVUSD) has entered into a groundbreaking partnership with the Small Town and Rural Students (STARS) College Network to provide comprehensive college advising and support for its students. The collaboration, which marks the first of its kind between the STARS College Network and a school district, aims to assist Napa Valley students in navigating the complex and often challenging admissions process for top universities.
The pilot program, set to run from spring 2025 through 2029, will offer Napa Valley students a range of services, including one-on-one college advising, guidance on financial aid, and opportunities for campus visits. These efforts are designed to help students in the district, many of whom may be the first in their families to pursue higher education, successfully navigate the admissions process and gain access to transformative opportunities.
The STARS College Network, established in 2023, consists of 32 prestigious universities, including Brown, Columbia, Dartmouth, UC Berkeley, and Yale. Its mission is to increase the number of rural and small-town students attending selective colleges. According to STARS, while high school graduation rates are similar nationwide, students from small towns are half as likely as their urban peers to attend top-tier institutions.
“We are committed to providing students with the support they need to imagine and realize their dreams of attending college,” said Rosanna Mucetti, Superintendent of Napa Valley Unified School District, in a statement. “This program will expose them to transformative opportunities and help them see the possibilities that lie ahead.”
The program will cater to the specific needs of Napa Valley students, offering personalized advising both in person and online. In addition to the direct support for students, educators within the district will receive specialized training to better guide students through the college admissions process. This training is expected to enhance the overall effectiveness of the program and provide educators with the tools they need to offer ongoing support.
Marjorie Betley, Executive Director of the STARS College Network, expressed excitement over the collaboration. “We are looking forward to working closely with NVUSD to create a program that best meets the unique needs of their students and staff,” Betley said. “Our goal is to ensure that these students have the resources and guidance to succeed.”
The program is funded by the Trott Family Philanthropies and is offered at no cost to students. In its first year, the STARS College Network reached over a quarter-million students nationwide, demonstrating the growing demand for resources that help rural students gain access to higher education.
With this partnership, Napa Valley Unified School District is taking a significant step toward helping its students overcome barriers to higher education and ensuring that more rural students have the opportunity to attend top universities. This initiative is expected to have a lasting impact on the college access and success of Napa Valley students for years to come.