For children who are growing up in poverty, the idea of attending a college or university may seem like an impossible dream.

The Selma City School System wants all its students to know that obtaining a higher education is possible, as long as they have the right attitude.

In order to achieve this the school system is introducing a new program this week that it hopes will help under-served students attend college after graduating from high school.

According to Superintendent Dr. James Carter, the Century Program will provide mentoring and encouragement to a group of students in elementary through high school.

Through a collaboration with the Foundation for Excellent Schools, the Century Program will target 100 students from three different schools in the area.

Carter said students from Clark Elementary, Selma Middle C.H.A.T. Academy, and Selma High School are expected to participate.

Leadership teams will be established at each school, Carter said, to work with these specific groups of students and offer guidance on how they can achieve their goals.

According to Lynn Henderson, Selma City Schools Public Relations and Attendance Supervisor, students who have mentors make significant academic and social gains.

Both Carter and Henderson say they hope to have members of the community become part of this new program.

January is National Mentoring Month, and in recognition of this Selma City Schools will host an assembly at 9 a.m. Friday in the Selma High School Library.