College Achieve Seniors Win Highly Prestigious Gates Scholarship

PLAINFIELD, N.J. and ASBURY PARK, N.J. — Two 2025 graduating seniors from College Achieve Public Schools (CAPS), tuition-free public charter schools serving students across New Jersey, have been named recipients of the competitive Gates Scholarship, placing them among just 750 students selected nationwide from a pool of more than 48,000 applicants.
Carlos Mendez, from College Achieve Central, and Gloriann Gonzalez, from College Achieve Greater Asbury Park–both CAPS students since the fifth grade–credit CAPS’ rigorous college-preparatory curriculum, rooted in high expectations and personalized support, for providing the groundwork to receive this honor.
Mendez will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the fall, where he plans to study environmental engineering. Gonzalez will attend Rowan University in Glassboro, where she plans to pursue veterinary medicine through the university’s combined B.S./Doctoral program.
"When scholars are challenged academically and supported personally, they gain the confidence and skills to achieve at the highest levels,” said Natica Brown, Head of School, College Achieve Central. “At College Achieve, we meet each scholar where they are, while never losing sight of where they can go. Carlos and Gloriann are shining examples of what happens when high expectations are paired with meaningful, individualized support. Their Gates Scholarships reflect not only their incredible effort and resilience, but the power of an education that prepares students to thrive in college and beyond."
“When students are challenged with high expectations and provided the resources to support and meet those expectations, they rise—and soar,” said Jasonn Denard, Head of School, College Achieve Greater Asbury Park. “Carlos and Gloriann are examples of what is possible when investing in the enormous potential of scholars and upholding a standard of excellence. The awarding of the Gates Scholarships validates their years of hard work and resilience and the power of a college-preparation education, enhancing the opportunity to attend and excel in universities, and to pursue a lifetime of future achievement.”
The Gates Scholarship is a last-dollar scholarship awarded to exceptional, Pell Grant–eligible, minority high school seniors. Recipients are selected for their academic excellence, leadership ability, personal drive and commitment to service. In addition to covering the full cost of attendance–including tuition, housing and books—this award is made to cover financial aid or family contributions by providing a scholarship and ongoing support through leadership development, mentoring and career resources throughout a scholar’s undergraduate experience.
As a network committed to expanding college access, this recognition is a powerful affirmation of a college-going culture and academic model, which requires all high school scholars to complete a minimum of three Advanced Placement (AP) courses to graduate, and with college readiness initiatives beginning as early as elementary school.
CAPS consistently graduates seniors to post-secondary institutions, with the majority enrolling in four-year universities. Graduates earned admission to institutions such as Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, Brown and Dartmouth, as well as highly regarded public universities.
College Achieve Public Schools (CAPS) is a three charter network of K-12 schools serving Paterson, Plainfield, North Plainfield, Asbury Park and Neptune Township created to serve youth whose potential may be limited by resources. The mission of CAPS is to prepare all students to excel in and graduate from the top colleges and universities in the nation. The CAPS promise is to help students through and through—through high school and through college.