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 from low-income backgrounds with the opportunities, resources, and relationships to succeed in rigorous schools and careers.
Upcoming Events
Celebrate #CollegeDecisionDay!
College Decision Day is a time when high school seniors select the colleges they will attend in the fall. Visit our special donation page to see where the Breakthrough Class of 2026 is attending college!
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The Breakthrough Model
Breakthrough New York is a community for motivated students who aspire to graduate from college. Our model is grounded in three educational “breakthroughs” that accelerate students’ academic and personal success.
Enrichment
Through summer and after-school programming, Breakthrough students build their academic and social-emotional knowledge, skills, and mindsets – preparing for the rigor of selective high schools and colleges and cultivating their own love of learning.
Access
Access to high-quality schools matters. 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 that expand their learning.
Relationships
Through a students-teaching-students model, we train over 130 college students to teach programming and serve as mentors and admissions coaches. Breakthrough students receive personalized support, and college students spark their own education careers.
Our Students
New York City needs diverse and talented leadership; yet too few students have access to high-quality educational experiences that equip them to succeed in college and beyond. Each year, we admit 70 6th grade students from public middle schools who demonstrate the motivation to achieve a college degree. The Breakthrough community currently 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
The Breakthrough model works. Every year, Breakthrough students achieve their ambitions of a college degree and a fulfulling career.
%
Accepted into College Prep High Schools
%
Seniors Accepted into 2- or 4-Year Colleges
%
Graduate from College in 4 - 6 Years
%
Alumni Secure Jobs Within 6 Months of Graduation
