Welcome to the TAPA Guidance Department! TAPA prepares all artist-scholars for postsecondary success. At the Lower School level, early awareness of the importance of grades, extracurricular involvement, the arts, and responsible behavior to the college process is built through class presentations. This creates the foundation for the Upper School college preparation curriculum.
All TAPA students (grades 7-12) acquire professional behavior and skills necessary to succeed in college and the workplace, including:
In the Upper School, students in grades 10-12 participate in a rigorous college preparation curriculum that involves in-depth presentations and activities on various college topics, including:
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![]() TAPA's College-Going Statistics
We are proud of our ability to get our graduates to and through college. 70% of the classes of 2016-2018 and 75%+ of 2019-2020 enrolled in higher education, with others seeking full time employment and job training - a number on par with many wealthier districts and the result of intensive college access work with the first-generation applicants at TAPA. Given the statistically small class size of each TAPA graduating class, FERPA laws, and data-matching sensitivities, the information available in the "Post-Secondary Participation" tab does not accurately represent the high college enrollment numbers of TAPA graduates. Many students have changes in their names, middle initials, or other data markers that prevent them from being found. However, our own Clearinghouse report allows for correcting some of these subtle differences |
TAPA Guidance Team
Eliza Bryant, Guidance Counselor and Director of Student Pathways (bilingual)
Ms.Bryant@TAPAProvidence.org Eliza was honored as Rhode Island's School Counselor of the Year in 2019 by the Rhode Island School Counseling Association. Her professional focus is advocating to change the systemic injustices in the path to higher education, in order to increase affordable, low or no-debt college access for first-generation college students. Eliza returned to live and work in her home state after several years running an academic support program in the Boston Public Schools, where she received her certification in School Counseling at UMass Boston. In Rhode Island, Eliza has supported students as a counselor in Providence, Newport, and Central Falls. She also served as the summer counselor for URI's First Star Program, where she helps youth in foster care complete all aspects of the college application process. She loves working with every TAPA student and family to create meaningful plans for future higher education, careers, and happy, safe lives. Outside of TAPA, Eliza loves running, pickup basketball, music, plants, and raising her 5 year old twins with her wife. |
Porsha Funches, Alumni Coordinator (and Adjunct Music Artist in Residence) Ms.Porsha@TAPAProvidence.org Porsha holds a B.A. in Psychology and a M.S. in Human Resource Management from Johnson & Wales University. She is the daughter of Tony Funches, who is the former lead singer of “Herb Reed & The Platters.” She has been traveling and performing for over 20 years in places such as Las Vegas, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and many more. Porsha has a burning passion for teaching and working with the youth who are passionate about the world of music. “I believe that children are the future. Teach them well and let them lead the way; Show them all the beauties they possess inside” – Whitney Houston She also is our Alumni Coordinator here at TAPA providing the space and time for all of our alumni to reconnect and offering any helpful services they may require. |
Michaela McCaughey, Dual Enrollment Coordinator Ms.McCaughey@TAPAprovidence.org In addition to serving as TAPA's Spanish instructor, Ms. McCaughey is also the coordinator of the Dual Enrollment program. This program allows TAPA Upper School students to take Advanced Course network and college classes at local campuses. |