Our Mission

We empower motivated students from low-income backgrounds to graduate from college and pursue a fulfilling career. Our ten-year, tuition-free program provides students with the opportunities, resources, and relationships to succeed in rigorous schools and careers.

 

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The Breakthrough Model

Our model is grounded in three educational “breakthroughs” that accelerate students’ academic and personal success.

Enrichment

Through summer and afterschool programming, Breakthrough students build their academic and social-emotional skills. This prepares them for the rigor of selective high schools and colleges.

 

Access

We coach students and their families through the complex admissions processes for high school and college. We also connect students to internships, study abroad programs, and other out-of-school opportunities.

Relationships

We use a students-teaching-students model. We train over 130 college students to teach programming and serve as mentors. Breakthrough students receive personalized support, and college students explore careers in education.

Our Students

New York City needs diverse and talented leadership, but too few students have access to high-quality educational experiences that equip them to succeed in college and beyond. The Breakthrough community serves over 500 students from 7th grade through college.

%

Identify as Black, Latinx, or Asian American

%

Are the First in Their Families to Pursue College

%

Are English Language Learners

Our Results

%

Attend College Prep High Schools

%

Seniors Enrolling into 2- or 4-Year Colleges

%

On Track to Graduate from College in 4 - 6 Years

%

Alumni Secure Jobs Within 6 Months of Graduation

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Associates Board Chair Spotlight: Shannon McDonald

Shannon McDonald has been with Breakthrough New York (BTNY) since 2018, starting as a volunteer and, in 2022, stepping up as chair of the Associates Board. Over the past few years, Shannon’s leadership has helped the board grow in size, community, and impact. She’s...

Alumni Spotlight: Karen Li’s Breakthrough Story

Breakthrough New York profoundly emphasizes community, viewing it as essential to fostering a sense of belonging and collective empowerment among our students, families, volunteers, and staff. For Karen Li (Yale University, Class of 2023), that sense of community...

Staff Reflection: Community is What We Do

Anita has worked for Breakthrough New York for nearly four years, first as a Brooklyn Program Manager and now as the Senior Middle School Program Advisor. In this essay, she reflects on the magic of the Breakthrough community and her experiences building project-based...

Teaching Fellow Spotlight: Mayisha Fariha

This summer, Mayisha Fariha worked as a Teaching Fellow for Breakthrough New York's intensive, five-week middle school summer program. She is entering her senior year at Hunter College, where she is double majoring in Adolescent Education and History. Inspired by her...
39 Broadway, Suite 820
New York, NY 10006
646-747-2869
[email protected]
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