Four children are gathered around a table in a classroom, discussing priority areas and activities. Two boys in the center are talking and holding papers, while two girls sit nearby. A chalkboard with colorful notes is in the background.

College Access

Why this matters

No student should feel that college is out of reach. But the journey is complicated – and when students can’t see a clear path forward, they can lose momentum and access. Continuous improvement helps us build support into the system – so all young people can take meaningful steps toward a choice-filled future.

For many students and families, applying to college can feel like trying to solve a puzzle without all the pieces. It can be daunting for students even to imagine and evaluate college environments where they could thrive – let alone take the steps to get there. The process can push many young people – especially first-generation students – toward thinking maybe they just aren’t “college material” after all.

Our existing application systems simply aren’t designed to promote clarity or confidence for students. That’s where we improvers come in.

Through continuous improvement, we’re changing how this process works for young people and their families. We’re building ideas to demystify and scaffold each step. We’re finding ways to provide the knowledge, support, and encouragement students need to navigate their options, applications, financial aid, and college decisions.

Together, we can design systems that help every young person make exciting, empowered choices about their future. Join in – and let’s connect all our students with all their opportunities.

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Who else is working on this
problem?

Who else is working
on this problem?

Improvers like you are redesigning college access for students and families. Learn how our partners are creating support structures that work – and join us in expanding access and opportunity for all young people.

Bank Street College of Education
The mission of Bank Street College is to improve the education of children and their teachers by applying to the education process all available
Circular logo for Bank Street College of Education, established 1916, with a large stylized white “B” on a blue background, surrounded by the college name and dotted border.
Partners in School Innovation
Partners in School Innovation empowers educators to drive equity-focused change, transforming K-12 education through leadership development, adult learning, and change management to disrupt systemic
Logo for Partners in School Innovation, featuring two abstract human figures in orange and blue on the left, with the organization’s name written to the right.
NYC Outward Bound Schools
We support NYC young people in developing the knowledge and skills to lead with confidence and curiosity, persist in the face of challenge and
NYC Outward Bound Schools logo with a blue compass symbol and the text: NYC Outward Bound Schools. Equitable, Immersive and Joyful Learning.
Marshall CoLab
Marshall CoLab is dedicated to improving teaching and learning for students furthest from opportunity. We bring together communities of educators, instructional coaches, and experts
Marshall CoLab logo with a blue square and abstract design on the left, and the tagline “COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR LASTING CHANGE” beneath the organization name.
New Visions for Public Schools
New Visions builds systems to reduce educational inequity and expand opportunities for students in public schools. We work to ensure all students have access
Logo with three diagonal bars—purple, red, and blue—forming a stylized V above the words New Visions for Public Schools in bold gray text.
Network for College Success (NCS)
In 2020, NCS established a second Network for School Improvement (NSI) funded for five years by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, called the
A maroon background with a stylized, light red phoenix design. The bold white letters NCS are centered over the phoenix.
Catalyst:Ed
Catalyst:Ed helps nonprofits, school systems, and funders identify high-impact projects and connect with vetted consultants, coaches, and technical assistance providers to address challenges and
The image shows the word catalyst:ed in lowercase, with catalyst: in dark blue and ed in light blue, above a horizontal bar with seven small colored squares on the right end.
Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
Carnegie’s mission: To catalyze transformational change in education so that every student has the opportunity to live a healthy, dignified, and fulfilling life.
A stylized tree with multicolored overlapping leaves above the text Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Improving Education
At the core of everything we do, is the desire to improve educational systems. We take an innovative approach, using tools of Improvement Science
Logo featuring a stylized lowercase e inside a circular shape, with IMPROVING EDUCATION written in bold green and blue letters below.
National Center for School-University Partnerships
The mission of the National Center for School-University Partnerships is to foster a collaborative community dedicated to empowering educators, leaders, and institutions to advance
Logo for the National Center for School-University Partnerships with four squares, each containing a different white hand on a blue or red background, next to the organization’s name in white text on a black background.
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