Eastside College Preparatory School, Inc.

Results: 100% of Eastside graduates have been admitted to four-year colleges, including Bowdoin College, M.I.T., Georgetown University, Stanford University, Yale University, U.C. Santa Cruz and Wesleyan University.

Direct beneficiaries per year: 250 students and 350 alumni

Programs: Ever since East Palo Alto’s only high school closed in 1976, all high school students had been bused out of their own community to schools in neighboring, more affluent communities. Through the placement process, these students were assigned to non-college track classes. The results were dramatic: students from East Palo Alto dropped out of high school at the alarming rate of 65%. Of the 35% who did graduate, less than 10% enrolled in four-year colleges. Eastside is an independent secondary school founded in 1996 to turn back this tide that each year caused hundreds of young people to see their life choices narrow dramatically. Originally founded to prepare students for four-year colleges and universities, at Eastside today we are committed to supporting our students through college and in their transition to professional careers. To achieve our mission we ask a lot of our students --99% of whom are first-generation college bound-- and our faculty. All students sign a contract pledging their dedication to succeed by attending school each day, completing their homework to the best of their abilities, and seeking help as needed. In return, our faculty is committed to teach, encourage, and inspire our students. The school day begins at 8:00 am and ends at 5:00 pm, and includes tutorial periods during which students can receive one-on-one help from their teachers and tutors. Our three-year college readiness program, summer session, residential program, and alumni and career pathways program all provide critical layers of support that enable our students to meet the expectations of our challenging college preparatory curriculum and succeed in college and beyond. A culture of mutual respect and admiration has grown up between students and faculty, creating a positive environment in which students become active participants in their own educational and personal growth.