Program Description
Project GRAD USA (Graduation Really Achieves Dreams) is a national college readiness model for economically disadvantaged youth that offers enriched and challenging curricula, opportunities for college preparation, and an opportunity to earn a scholarship that makes the pursuit of a college education a reality.  GRAD’s mission is to ensure a quality public education for students in economically disadvantaged communities, so that high school graduation and college entrance rates increase dramatically.

GRAD Scholars represent the core of Project GRAD’s promise and commitment to do whatever it takes to enhance the academic achievements and aspirations of over 121,000 students from 205 of our nation’s most economically disadvantaged communities.  GRAD has made college scholarships available to over 6,000 students and has an additional 15,700 high school students in the scholarship pipeline, making it one of the country’s largest college access organizations for low-income students.  GRAD has already sent high school graduates to more than 100 institutions of higher education, including many of the most highly selective colleges and universities in the nation.  In addition, GRAD is the only education reform effort that has been cited as a promising whole school reform model leading to college success by all three of the following research organizations:  Building Engineering and Science Talent (BEST), the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the Comprehensive School Reform Quality Center (CSRQ).

Partners and Supporters
GRAD has a vital network of nation-wide supporters including direct contact to 121,000 students, 10,000 teachers, 100,000 parents, and 5,000 volunteers.  This is a total estimated direct reach of over 230,000 supporters and program participants.  Community partners who work with local GRAD non profits include local social service providers who provide guidance and support to students and their families, like Communities in Schools, local universities and colleges who provide critical college access and summer programming support, as well as businesses that provide mentors and tutors. 

Nationally, since 2001, GRAD USA has engaged in national networks of support among organizational, business, and foundation leaders as well as creates national forums for parents and students to connect on a broader scale.  GRAD USA partners include the Lumina Foundation for Education, Verizon Foundation, GE Foundation, Continental Airlines, and the United States Department of Education among others.  Please visit www.projectgrad.org for a complete list of local and national partners.