Potential and talent are equally distributed, but opportunity is not.

Students from low- and high-income communities aspire to earn a postsecondary degree or credential at similar rates. However, too many students, the vast majority of whom are students of color, are left to confront economic, academic, and social barriers that make it almost impossible to achieve their greatest postsecondary aspirations.

A closer look at the opportunity gap shows the vast majority of students who do not complete their postsecondary education are pushed out of the system between the final two years of high school and first year of a postsecondary program. This remains one of our nation’s most complex and critical injustices, and has persisted despite decades of work and millions invested.

In New York City, the disparity in college degree attainment between high-income background students and low-income background students is vast due to systemic injustices and failures.

New York City is the largest school district in the country. It serves 1.1 million students, including over 300,000 high school students, in more than 400 high schools, but only 17% of New York City Department of Education 9th graders from low-income backgrounds have obtained an associates or bachelors degree six years following high school graduation. These local statistics and current reality fuel our sense of injustice and commitment to change.

In New York City, the disparity in college degree attainment between high-income background students and low-income background students is vast due to systemic injustices and failures.

the solution

how it works

Junior Year

JUNIOR YEAR

Students are placed in a cohort of approximately 25-30 Fellows and begin taking a credit-bearing OneGoal class. They explore personal identity, professional aspirations, and a positive sense of self. They research career and postsecondary pathways. Students build on academic skills to bolster their GPA and SAT/ACT scores, and develop personal statements, leveraging the power of storytelling.

Senior year

SENIOR YEAR

Fellows continue with their cohort for a second year and decide on and enroll in their path after high school. Students weigh school options based on professional aspirations, personal values, and financial aid support, and complete applications to college. They identify and prepare to overcome any potential barriers.

post secondary year one

POST SECONDARY YEAR ONE

Fellows are supported remotely for one full year following their high school graduation. Additionally, Fellows are connected to on-campus supports and empowered to lean on the non-cognitive skills, such as growth mindset and self-efficacy, developed in high school to drive their success. Throughout the year, students get support from OneGoal to successfully navigate their courses, on-campus relations, and mental health. They are encouraged to meet with a school advisor to review academic and financial plans and to renew financial aid application + register for the next year’s courses.

Results

One Goal as a strong, positive, and statistically significant effect on postsecondary enrollment, persistence, graduation and nearly all academic outcomes of interest.

One Goal builds capacity for postsecondary success using schools' existing resources, leveraging the expertise that already exists in the school community, and supporting and deepening pre-existing relationships between students and staff.

88%

of OneGoal high school graduates in New York enroll in a postsecondary institution

77%

of those persist one year after high school graduation

impact

Long Term effects

Higher Wages

The median lifetime income for those with a bachelor’s degree is more than two times that of workers with high school diplomas or GEDs, and around 70% higher for someone with some college but no degree.

Job Security

People who have bachelor’s degrees are 48% less likely to be unemployed over the lifetime of their career, while associate degree holders are 24% less likely to be unemployed than individuals with a high school diploma.

Reduced Public Assistance

Individuals with only a high school diploma are 53% more likely to receive SNAP and housing assistance than those with an Associate Degree.

Health & Wellness

Bachelor’s degree holders are 20% more likely to have employer-provided health insurance.