Oxon Hill Students Get a Peek at UMD Campus

Middle schoolers from Oxon Hill had a chance to visit and learn about the University of Maryland on Monday, part of a program designed put the prospect of a college education on the students' radar, The Washington Post reports.

Oxon Hill is a so-called "turnaround school," meaning it receives special funding to boost academic performance. Students there aren't always aware of the preparation required for college, social studies teacher Alicia Greene told the Post.

But on Monday, Oxon Hill middle schoolers had the opportunity to view UMD campus buildings, ask questions of current undergrads, and get a taste of college life.

"I have full confidence that providing this experience for our Kings and Queens will heighten their awareness regarding what they must do today to ensure a successful post-graduate career and make attending college more of a reality," Ashanti M. Foster, Academic Dean of Oxon Hill Middle School said in a press release.

Other students from the school visited UMBC, Bowie State University, Morgan State University, and Johns Hopkins University.

Read more from The Washington Post.