Following Six Students as They Chase Their College Dreams

Navigating the college application and admissions process is never easy, especially for low-income students of color who may be the first in their families to go to college. A dramatic PBS docuseries funded in part by the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund follows six high school seniors at Deer Valley High School in Antioch, California as they pursue their dreams of a higher education in the midst of the Covid crisis. Students of color are 90% of the high school’s population and 71% of students are economically disadvantaged. 

Working with their dedicated college advisor, “Mr. Cam,” the students in “The Class” embark on a difficult and emotional journey through virtual learning, college applications, admissions, and more. In the process, they share the joy, the hurt, and the frustration of navigating a system that puts up too many barriers for too many low-income students and students of color in California and across the country.

“The Class” debuts on PBS on March 18, 2025, with six episodes airing weekly and streaming on the PBS app.  The Haas, Jr. Fund is honored to help sponsor this docuseries as part of our commitment to ensuring that more students can find the resources and support they need to obtain a bachelor’s degree and the many rewards that go with it.

For more information:

• Mr. Cam, who is the college advisor for the students in “The Class,” is part of the College Advising Corps, which partners with universities across the country to place recent college graduates in under-resourced high schools where they serve as near-peer advisers.  
• The American School Counselor Association offers training, professional development, and other support for school counselors in the U.S. and around the world. Find out more about the vital role of school counselors and pathways to this rewarding career here.  
• Who was the counselor, advisor or mentor who impacted your educational journey and your life? #ThankYourCAM