Our students know how to dream. They plan be surgeons, veterinarians, teachers, athletes, and lawyers. They can use support, however, in making those dreams a reality. While they are exceptionally talented and motivated, they come from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in higher education. Over 90% of our students are of color; 87% are low-income; 60% speak a language other than English at home; and 74% will be first generation college students.
Each year, members of Breakthrough’s program team visit the fourth grade classrooms of public schools throughout San Francisco. They discuss the engaging classes, supportive community, and long-term impact, and emphasize the serious nature of the commitment. Each year, over 100 fourth graders apply for 40 spots. They are selected based on academic potential, motivation, and personal need, as gauged by their application essays, parent statements, teacher feedback, report cards, and interviews.
The 2010 student application is now available, and the deadline has been extended to Thursday, Feburary 11. To apply, applicants must be fourth graders at a public school in San Francisco. A small number of fifth graders may also admitted to fill spots caused by attrition. To download the application in English, click here; for Spanish, click here. For more information, please contact Associate Director Heidi Erbe.
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Summer 2008 Breakthrough teacher Mitesh Bhakta with (from left to right) Paige, Alia, Riona, Alejandro, Zoe, Camilia, and Jocelyn.
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