Mission Graduates

Mission Graduates’ Extended Day Program provides afterschool and summer education for Mission District students at Alvarado, Bryant, Cleveland, Marshall, Sanchez, and Flynn Elementary Schools (SFUSD Schools), as well as two K-8 schools, Bessie Carmichael and Thomas Edison Charter Academy (TECA — a public, nonprofit charter school). Students develop reading and writing skills, enhance their English language abilities, and develop social-emotional skills in the Extended Day Program. During the 2019-2020 year, 1,620 students participated in Mission Graduate’s Extended Day or Beacon Programs, and with the addition of Bessie Carmichael this year, we will reach 1,820. By extending the learning day, Mission Graduates ensures that students have more opportunities to work in a structured academic setting with the English language, have guided homework support, are given targeted literacy development, and given a chance to develop new skills and interests. We measure the success of our Extended Day Program by anticipating the following outcomes: Reading: Enhance the quantity and quality of intentional literacy activities throughout the program. Staff will receive a minimum of four training during the school year in the Reading/Language Arts Common Core Standards and literacy development strategies appropriate for afterschool. Program staff will intentionally integrate opportunities for students to read, write, speak, and listen in every activity that they implement. All students in grades K-2 will advance at least 1.5 years in reading levels. All students will read books at their grade level, increasing their vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. English Fluency Reclassification: Use research-based strategies to support English language development, build better links between the program and school day to check on English learners’ progress, and provide targeted academic support to English learners. Staff will intentionally plan for and put into practice strategies that reinforce the specific language development skills selected by the program. Staff will build or strengthen their relationship with school-day staff so that information regarding English learners can flow back and forth more efficiently and that units are planned with specific student needs in mind. Staff will join during the school day to provide small-group support to English learners. 40% of English language learners within the program will be reclassified as English fluent by 5th-grade graduation. Homework Completion: 85% of participants will either complete their homework or increase their homework completion rate Family Involvement: Provide families and caregivers with opportunities to participate in six literacy activities and adequately inform and collaborate with families and caregivers. Staff will communicate constructive feedback, such as concerns and accomplishments, about youth with caregivers respectfully and confidentially. 90% of parents will indicate that their child is more prepared for the next grade level because of program participation. College Access Programs Mission Graduates’ three college access programs – College Connect, John O’Connell College and Career Program, and Mission High School’s ASAP Program – focus on supporting students of color to navigate the college admissions process and ensure their persistence through graduation. We serve 1,354 high school and college students through all three programs, 59% Latinx, 14% African-American, 16% Asian/Pacific Islander, 5% multiracial, and 6% Caucasian. College Connect– For 14 years, Mission Graduates has been implementing our flagship cohort-based model bringing together 25 high school juniors with at least a 2.5 GPA, who will be the first generation in their family to attend college. Intentionally designed to support middle-achieving students who otherwise might not have considered a 4-year college, College Connect supports 309 students preparing for, applying, and entering college and continues that support through college graduation and career preparation. College Connect provides individualized support on English and Math foundational skills, personal statements, and college and scholarship applications. To ensure college persistence, College Connect offers students case management, college mentoring, financial aid assistance, internship placement, and career advice. Success Metrics include: 100% of students enter college after high school graduation 81% College Persistence rate 89% of students graduate within 5 years Raised $5.3 million in scholarships John O’Connell College and Career Program infuses college awareness, college access, and career path exploration, to prepare over 645 students and their families for a path to college and career. The College and Career Program is an innovative partnership with John O’Connell High School, traditionally considered a vocational school, developing a schoolwide college-going culture and maximizing the students entering post-secondary education. This unique model embeds program staff in classrooms with credentialed teachers, building relationships with students to explore their higher education and career aspirations. In addition to work inside the classes, the program offers a range of college preparation and access services to all students at the school, leveraging staff’s long relationship with the students to reach them better. The program also coordinates all the college and career partners on campus. Program Impact includes: 99% of graduating class completed financial aid applications 92% of seniors were accepted into college 92% of eligible students applied to 4-year universities ASAP recently joined Mission Graduates after 15 years as a separate non-profit serving the students of Mission High School. Located within the high school, ASAP provides college preparation and access services to 400 students. Unique to the program model is providing 150 students access to summer programs at colleges and universities, allowing them to see how they can succeed in higher education. Staff provides individualized support in writing personal statements, completing college applications, submitting scholarship and financial aid applications, and ensuring students successfully transition to college. ASAP alumni are also hired and trained as mentors to first-year students at 8 college campuses. Indicators of success are: 92% of ASAP students enroll in college after graduation 87% of students persisting in college after their second year $175,000 in college scholarships is awarded annually by the program 43% of students graduate within 6 years, 4 times the national average