BREAKTHROUGH STUDENTS ...
... ARE MOTIVATED
Students enter Breakthrough the summer after 6th grade and commit initially for two years. During 7th and 8th grade, they receive a total of 80 extra days of academic enrichment, apply for at least two scholarship opportunities, and pass at least two honors courses in school. Breakthrough students are also provided ongoing, multi-faceted support through high school to college.
... DEMONSTRATE NEED
All of Breakthrough Saint Paul’s students demonstrate need for the program in at least one of the following ways:
- Her/his family is low income or eligible for free/reduced lunch.
- S/he will be in the first generation to attend a four-year college in her family.
- Her/his family is led by a single parent.
- Her/his family primarily speaks a language other than English at home.
- S/he self-identifies as a person of color.
... REPRESENT DIVERSITY
Breakthrough recognizes that there are many dimensions of human diversity. Racially and ethnically, Breakthrough helps under-represented groups, specifically students of color, to succeed in honors courses and get to college. 91% of our students self-identify as a person of color. Learn more about the diversity of Breakthrough’s student body.
... ATTEND SAINT PAUL SCHOOLS
To apply to Breakthrough, students must be enrolled in an SPPS elementary school. Almost all students (94%) remain in SPPS schools through junior high and high school. For those students that move outside the district, Breakthrough continues to serve them if they can provide transportation and meet ongoing expectations. Learn more about which schools our students attend.
... HAVE COMMITTED FAMILIES
In exchange for providing the program tuition-free, Breakthrough expects a major commitment from families as well as students. Parents and guardians agree to participate in several events annually and to ensure their children attend all activities. BSP reaches out to families by making frequent calls home, arranging carpools to events, and providing interpretation for families who do not speak English.
