How to Schedule a College Advising Appointment at Success Academy Bed-Stuy 3
What to expect when you contact Success Academy Bed-Stuy 3 for college advising
Success Academy Bed-Stuy 3 is a charter school in Brooklyn that serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade. The school does not have a dedicated college counselor on staff in the way a traditional high school does, because most students are still in middle school. If you are looking for college advising through this specific school, you will need to understand what services are actually available and where to look for them.
Marina Raafat is the Head of School at Success Academy Bed-Stuy 3. Her role is to oversee the school's operations and academic programs, not to provide individual college counseling. If you are a parent or student seeking college advising, you should contact the school's main office to ask whether they offer any college preparation resources, or whether they can refer you to a counselor who works with the school.
Many charter schools partner with external college counseling organizations or have staff members who begin college preparation work in the upper grades. Success Academy as a network does have college readiness programs, but the specific offerings at the Bed-Stuy 3 location may differ from other Success Academy schools.
Key Takeaways
- Success Academy Bed-Stuy 3 serves students through eighth grade, so formal college advising typically begins in high school rather than at this location.
- Marina Raafat is the Head of School and handles school administration, not individual student college counseling.
- Contact the school's main office directly to ask what college preparation resources or referrals they offer to families.
- If your student is in high school, you may need to work with a high school counselor or an independent college advisor rather than this middle school.
How to reach Success Academy Bed-Stuy 3
The main office phone number and email address for Success Academy Bed-Stuy 3 are listed on the successacademies.org website under the school's profile. You can call during school hours to ask about college advising resources or to request a meeting with an administrator who can direct you to the right person.
When you call, be clear about what you are looking for: whether you want information about college preparation programs the school offers, a referral to a college counselor, or a meeting with school leadership. This helps the office staff route your request to the right department.
What college advising looks like at the middle school level
At the middle school level, college preparation is often woven into academic classes and school culture rather than offered as a separate counseling service. Success Academy schools emphasize academic rigor and college readiness from an early age, but one-on-one college counseling typically does not begin until high school.
If your student is in middle school at Bed-Stuy 3 and you want to start thinking about college options, you can work with an independent college counselor, use free resources from organizations like College Board, or wait until your student enters high school, where more formal advising becomes available.
When to seek college advising outside the school
If your student is already in high school or if you need college advising before the school offers it, you have several options. Many families work with independent college counselors, who charge a fee but offer personalized guidance. Others use free resources through public libraries, community organizations, or online platforms.
Some students benefit from starting the college conversation early — even in middle school — to explore interests and build strong academic habits. If that is your goal, you do not need to wait for the school to offer a formal program; you can begin that work on your own timeline with outside support.
Understanding Success Academy's college readiness approach
Success Academy as a network has a stated focus on college readiness. The organization publishes information about its college outcomes and college preparation philosophy on its main website. However, the specific programs and resources available vary by school location and grade level.
Bed-Stuy 3, as a middle school, is part of a larger ecosystem. Some students may transition to a Success Academy high school, where college advising becomes more robust. Others may attend a different high school, in which case they will work with that school's college counselor.
Preparing for a conversation with the school
Before you call or visit, write down what you want to know. Are you asking about college preparation curriculum? Do you want a referral to a counselor? Are you looking for information about college outcomes for students who have graduated from the school? Having a clear question makes the conversation shorter and more useful.
If you are a parent, you may also want to ask whether the school offers any parent workshops or information sessions about college planning. Some schools hold these events in the fall or spring and invite families to learn about the timeline and process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Success Academy Bed-Stuy 3 have a college counselor?
Success Academy Bed-Stuy 3 is a middle school, so it does not have a dedicated college counselor the way a high school does. Contact the main office to ask what college preparation resources or referrals the school offers. If your student is in high school, you will work with that school's counselor instead.
Can I schedule a meeting with Marina Raafat about college advising?
Marina Raafat is the Head of School and focuses on school administration and academic programs. For college advising, ask the main office to connect you with the right staff member or to provide a referral to a counselor who works with the school.
What should I do if my student is in high school and needs college advising?
If your student attends a Success Academy high school, contact that school's college counselor or main office. If your student attends a different high school, work with that school's college advising department. You can also hire an independent college counselor or use free resources through your public library or community organizations.
When should college planning start?
Formal college counseling typically begins in ninth or tenth grade, but you can start thinking about college interests and building strong study habits in middle school. There is no harm in beginning early with an independent counselor or through your own research if you want to get ahead.
How do I find out what college outcomes Success Academy students have?
Visit successacademies.org and look for information about college acceptance rates, college destinations, or student outcomes. You can also call the school directly and ask whether they publish this data or can share it with you.
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