Breakthrough Silicon Valley

Help us secure a $20,000 matching gift generously sponsored by The Scott Foundation! Every donation made from #GivingTuesday through the end of the year will be matched dollar for dollar to help us receive this exciting bonus donation!!

******************************

“Breakthrough quickly taught me to transform my struggles into a determined drive for success. I focused my energy on college and working towards my goal of assisting others who face similar challenges of substance abuse, incarceration, and unemployment in their families.  I know I will successfully complete college, be a great role model, and assist those who are in need.”

- Breakthrough Alum

Through comprehensive academic and college-readiness programs, Breakthrough Silicon Valley helps underserved students forge a new path for themselves, their families and those in their community.

Breakthrough fills an important void in Silicon Valley by ensuring that high-potential, at-risk students don’t fall through the cracks of our educational system. In Santa Clara County, 1 in 5 youth do not complete high school. We make a six year promise to our students to provide academic support and the guidance they need not only to successfully graduate from high school but to thrive in four-year universities. Our students’ and families’ 95% participation rate underscores their commitment to our program.

Breakthrough’s long-term, holistic approach to college preparation includes three academic summer sessions in middle school; after school math classes; high school placement counseling; grade checks every six weeks; tutoring; career exposure and mentorship; and intensive college guidance services to navigate the complex college and financial aid application process.

Breakthrough’s ‘secret sauce’ is our award-winning ‘students-teaching-students’ model, which is recognized by Columbia and Johns Hopkins Universities for its effectiveness. Our middle school students learn from high-achieving high school and college student interns who we recruit through a highly-selective national applicant pool. Our interns are trained and guided by seasoned, professional teachers. Our young educators are not only excellent teachers, but powerful role models too.

Breakthrough stands out among the many efforts to improve educational outcomes for underserved students, reaching beyond the typical goals of proficiency and deeply changing the lives of individuals and their communities. While ambitious in its goals, Breakthrough really works: a stunning 96% of Breakthrough students attend four-year colleges and 78% of Breakthrough intern teachers consider careers in education.