Program Model
Our education system is failing our young people.
- Just 11% of students from the lowest-income quartile earn bachelor’s degrees within six years (the commonly used indicator of college success), compared with 58% of students who come from the highest-income group, according to the Pell Institute.
- A third of first-generation students drop out of college at the three-year mark, compared with a quarter of students whose parents have degrees, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
- 53% of NYC students, most of whom Black and Latino, did not meet threshold requirements for college.
- 59% of Black students who enrolled in four-year colleges as first-time, full-time students and failed to complete their degrees there. 50% for latinx students.
- Some high school counselors have reported upwards of 900 student caseloads
It’s our responsibility, and our privilege to do more.
DDC’s program has three components that, together, help our participating 7th–12th graders succeed in and out of the classroom:
ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT
Supports students’ mastery of the academic skills necessary for college success through culturally-informed and relevant project-based courses across the humanities, arts, and STEM as well as a writing center and subject-based tutoring.
COLLEGE & CAREER SUCCESS
College Prep Courses, Individual College Advising, Near-Peer College Mentoring, College Tours, Financial Literacy for College & Beyond, Career Exploration & Immersion, and other enrichment activities to support students in achieving postsecondary success in collaboration with students and their families.
HEALTHY MINDS & BODIES
Individual, small group, and community settings that engage students and families to cultivate students’ physical, mental, and emotional health so they can succeed in all areas of their lives.