35+ years of creating opportunity for New York City youth, as seen through the impact on our students, their families, their communities, and beyond.
Access to quality education is an essential ingredient to breaking the cycle of poverty. But New York City students are often limited by their zoned public schools which don’t offer the attention and guidance academically average and vulnerable youth need to ensure success. Disparities in New York City high school graduation rates by neighborhood far exceed those by race, ethnicity, and gender.
That means students with the potential to succeed do not usually get the education and support they need to accomplish their dreams. The consequences of dropping out are severe for students and their communities. There is a strong correlation to crime and poverty among high school dropouts, causing strain on government resources and social services. That’s where Student Sponsor Partners comes in.
In the midst of the high school dropout crisis of the 1970s and 1980s, Peter Flanigan founded Student Sponsor Partners to eliminate barriers and open doors for at-risk youth across New York City. He believed in the power of quality education and mentorship.
The integrated model launched with about 45 sponsors who covered student tuition at partner private high schools and took on the role of mentor for these students. It has since evolved and grown to create greater impact for youth across the city.
We work with private high schools across the city that save slots for our students who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to attend these college-preparatory schools. These schools have a long history of working with students from similar backgrounds, and have dedicated coordinators who monitor and meet with our students. We also have Engagement Managers who check in with students about their accomplishments and challenges and provide advisement to improve outcomes.
Student Sponsor Partners pairs students with trained mentors, and they all dedicate a total of more than 10,000 hours annually. The results are undeniable in both directions. At-risk students with mentors are more likely to have:
Many students are first in their families to attend college, which is where the College and Career Success program comes in – to help students and their families through the college process. This program offers SAT prep classes, college admissions advising, financial aid application assistance, and essay writing and interview workshops. It has been so successful that enrollment in college for Student Sponsor Partners graduates is higher than that for New York City public school students of similar demographics.
Thanks to the generous funding from The Kovner Foundation, Student Sponsor Partners launched the Peter M. Flanigan Scholarship in 2015. Since then, students who have a cumulative GPA of 90 or above are invited to apply for the scholarship. Students awarded the Peter M. Flanigan Scholarship receive scholarship funding of up to $10,000 per year for four years of college.
A combination of partner schools, sponsors, mentors, and college and career prep ensures a positive experience and lasting impact. And Student Sponsor Partners continues to update its offerings to meet changing needs.
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