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:
  • Practice in self-advocacy - being present at parent-teacher conferences, teacher/guidance meetings, writing requests for help, etc.
  • Regularly checking and responding to email professionally
  • Setting appointments with the guidance counselor to discuss any issue (including social, schedule change, or other minor issues) via email
  • Using Google Calendar to set appointments
  • Accountability in terms of keeping appointments
  • Actively reflecting on ways to improve in school 
  • Regularly meeting with individuals from local organizations or other schools - i.e. giving tours or visiting other institutions
  • Discussing conflict with peers and teachers in a healthy manner (guided by Social Worker, Guidance Counselor, Dean of Students, and teachers)

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:
  • Grade Point Average
  • Transcripts
  • PSAT and SAT preparation
  • Regular visits from College Admissions officers 
  • Partnership with local college access organizations, including College Visions and the College Planning Center
  • Opportunities to participate in Dual Enrollment (college classes taken while still in high school), AP Classes, and the Advanced Course Network!
  • The College Application process (guided and personalized)
  • The Financial Aid application process (guided and personalized)
  • Budgeting and Finance
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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)
[email protected]
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)
[email protected]​
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
[email protected]
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.