College Access and Success

College access and success refers to the field occupied by organizations working to ensure that all students graduate from high school with the ability to enter college and successfully obtain a degree. By working with students and their families, college access programs address academic preparedness, college aspiration and knowledge, and financial barriers.

1. Explore the social issue

Read our college access and success social issue report, which includes: an overview of the social issue, an investment recommendation, information on the return on investment, and ways to take further action.

Click here to read the full social issue report

2. Learn about your state

The state reports define the context of how college access and success is being addressed in Massachusetts, New York, and Illinois.

Massachusetts / New York / Illinois

3. Select an organization

The organization reports highlight high performing college access and success organizations based on a rigorous evaluation of organizational health, program performance, and social and economic impact. Click below to see a list of high performing organizations in your city or state.

Boston, MA / New York, NY / Chicago, IL

4. Explore related social issues

Learn about social issues related to college access and success that we have written about in other reports.

Massachusetts

In 1993 Massachusetts passed the landmark Massachusetts Education Reform Act (MERA). As a result of this legislation, Massachusetts became one of the few states in the country to spend more on students in poor districts than on students in wealthy districts. To read more on what’s happening in Massachusetts with college access click the link below to see our state report.

Recommended Organizations: Boston, MA

Breakthrough Cambridge

Breakthrough Cambridge (BTC) is a 6-year long intensive program that recruits students from every 6th grade public classroom in Cambridge, MA. As part of a 33-organization national collaborative, BTC seeks to open the pathways to college and promote careers in education.

Read report on Breakthrough Cambridge

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College Bound Dorchester

College Bound Dorchester (CBD) equips students with the attitude, skills, and experience to graduate from college. CBD’s wide range of programs, each permeated by a college going culture, aim to increase the number of college graduates in Dorchester, and shift the community’s mindset about college.

Read report on College Bound Dorchester

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Hyde Square Task Force

Hyde Square Task Force (HSTF) has evolved from a youth violence prevention program to a comprehensive youth community development program that has received a host of awards and recognitions. HSTF is credited by many as a leading force of the Hyde/Jackson Square neighborhood transformation from the “cocaine capital of New England” to Boston’s center of Latino commerce and culture.

Read report on Hyde Square Task Force

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The Steppingstone Foundation

The Steppingstone Foundation (TSF) develops and implements academic programs for underserved students. TSF is a well-established, high performing organization with a clearly defined agenda for growth and increased impact. Through its Academy Program, TSF ensures a continuous, long-term intervention spanning from middle school through high school graduation.

Read report on The Steppingstone Foundation

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Steps to Success

Steps to Success (STS) is a comprehensive achievement program with a student centered approach that works with students and their families from 4th through 12th grade and into college. STS’ intense relationship-building model is based on its close collaboration with the Brookline Housing Authority, the public schools and the Brookline Community Fund.

Read report on Steps to Success

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Trinity Education for Excellence Program

Trinity Education for Excellence Program’s (TEEP) value-based curriculum empowers youth to strive for excellence throughout their 6-year journey with TEEP. TEEP is a program of the Trinity Boston Foundation, which was established in 2000 at Trinity Church in Boston.

Read report on Trinity Education for Excellence Program

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Urban Scholars Program

Urban Scholars Program (USP) provides predominantly low-income and minority talented and gifted students from Boston Public Schools with the skills they need to fulfill their full potential. Being housed at the University of Massachusetts Boston ensures the programs strong ties to and support from the university.

Read report on Urban Scholars Program

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New York

In May 2010, NY passed legislation to develop a new teacher and principal evaluation system, allocate $20 million to implement longitudinal data system, raise the charter school cap from 200 to 460 (exceeding 10% of NY public schools), and authorize Educational Partnership Organizations to manage lowest-performing schools. To read more on what’s happening in New York with college access click the link below to see our state report.

Recommended Organizations: New York City, NY

Fiver Children's Foundation

Fiver Children's Foundation (FCF) is a 10-year program that works with community-based organization who refer children at 8 or 9 years old. Fiver assists students from underserved communities to pursue postsecondary education, make healthy life choices, and become more employable.

Read report on Fiver Children's Foundation

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Harlem RBI

Harlem RBI (HRBI) attracts youth through their baseball leagues and provides them with a holistic youth development program, focused on college access and success. Students play on the same team for 6 years, learning leadership, communication, and teamwork while also receiving academic support and college advisement.

Read report on Harlem RBI

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"I Have A Dream" Foundation- New York

“I Have A Dream" Foundation - New York (IHDF-NY) sponsors entire cohorts of elementary school grades living in public housing and supports them through high school. This long-term approach, and the strategic office locations within public housing, ensures that IHDF-NY develops strong relationships with the entire community.

Read report on "I Have A Dream" Foundation-New York

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Legal Outreach

Legal Outreach (LO) has been utilizing law-related education to motivate underserved students to enter and be successful in college for over 20 years. LO’s College Bound program provides academic enrichment and support to prepare students for college and exposes them to career paths within the legal sector.

Read report on Legal Outreach

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StreetSquash

StreetSquash (SS) combines squash and intensive academic services to support and empower children, families, and schools in Harlem. Squash exposes students to new opportunities, acts as a resume builder for college admission, and promotes fitness.

Read report on StreetSquash

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The Oliver Scholars Program

The Oliver Scholars Program (OSP) selects high-achieving, minority, middle school students and helps them gain entrance to independent private schools in the Northeast. OSP provides students with support during the independent school application process, continued support during high school, and assistance during the college admissions process.

Read report on The Oliver Scholars Program

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Sponsors for Educational Opportunity

Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) offers education and career services to young people from underserved communities. As one of New York City's first mentoring and college preparatory programs for high school students of color, SEO’s Scholars Program supports students from 9th grade through college.

Read report on Sponsors for Educational Opportunity

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Illinois

Arne Duncan, former Chicago Public Schools CEO, was appointed U.S. Secretary of Education by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate on January 20, 2009. As CEO, Duncan was credited with steadily improving math scores during his tenure and converted a number of neighborhood schools into charter schools. In March 2010, the Illinois State Senate approved legislation allowing students at Chicago Public Schools to attend private schools using a voucher. However, the legislation was rejected by the Illinois State House, and is now an issue in the run-up to the Chicago mayoral election. To read more on what’s happening in Illinois with College Access click the link below to see our state report.

Recommended Organizations: Chicago, IL

"I Have A Dream" North Chicago

"I Have A Dream" North Chicago (IHD-NC) uses a long-term cohort model to work intensively with an entire grade of students from kindergarten through college. IHD-NC addresses students’ physical, emotional, and intellectual development needs to help students enter and graduate from college.

Read report on "I Have A Dream" North Chicago

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Umoja Student Development Corporation

For over 10 years, Umoja Student Development Corporation (UMJ) has worked within Manley High School to improve student success and school culture by working with students, teachers, administration, and community partners. UMJ now has two deep school partnerships which focus around 4 core pillars of Academic Innovation, Service & Leadership, College and Career, and Personal Growth.

Read report on Umoja Student Development Corporation

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