Community Need and Response
Chicago students face persistent barriers to academic attainment and long-term success. Thirty-six percent of third-grade students read below the “basic” level, a strong predictor of future academic and life outcomes. Additionally, 23 percent of Chicago Public Schools students fail to graduate on time, with dropout rates reaching 48 percent in some neighborhood high schools.
Through Project 60623, our program addresses these challenges by providing comprehensive, student- and family-centered supports. We assist families in navigating academic requirements, postsecondary options, and available resources to ensure students receive consistent support both in and out of school. We reduce the cost of postsecondary education by enabling students to earn college credits while still in high school and prepare them for the workforce through early exposure to skilled trades and career pathways. For students at risk of disengagement, we offer flexible credit recovery options—including work-study opportunities and online coursework—to keep them on track for graduation.
Chicago students face persistent barriers to academic attainment and long-term success. Thirty-six percent of third-grade students read below the “basic” level, a strong predictor of future academic and life outcomes. Additionally, 23 percent of Chicago Public Schools students fail to graduate on time, with dropout rates reaching 48 percent in some neighborhood high schools.
Through Project 60623, our program addresses these challenges by providing comprehensive, student- and family-centered supports. We assist families in navigating academic requirements, postsecondary options, and available resources to ensure students receive consistent support both in and out of school. We reduce the cost of postsecondary education by enabling students to earn college credits while still in high school and prepare them for the workforce through early exposure to skilled trades and career pathways. For students at risk of disengagement, we offer flexible credit recovery options—including work-study opportunities and online coursework—to keep them on track for graduation.