CARPE
Network
For too many students from low-income and historically underrepresented backgrounds, college feels out of reach – even when support is available. Join us as we use proven strategies and community-driven efforts to help the students furthest from opportunity apply, enroll, and attend the colleges they’re most likely to graduate from successfully and build a brighter future.
GET INVOLVED
Bring College Closer
Complete a Financial Aid Form
Lay the groundwork for families and students to complete their financial aid applications (FAFSA/CADAA).
A Balanced List of Colleges
Help students plan and apply to a personalized list of “Safety,” “Match,” and “Dream” colleges.
Look up the AG Opportunity Gap at your School
Why it matters
College application and enrollment support isn’t always enough.
Students furthest from opportunity also need help believing that four-year colleges are a realistic option.
Increase Likelihood of Success
Low-income students starting at four-year colleges are three times likelier to earn a B.A. within six years than those at two-year institutions.
20-40% of Students Impacted
Up to 40 percent of high school seniors report college enrollment intentions but never actually enroll.
$4 Billion+ Unclaimed
More than $4 billion dollars went unclaimed in 2023 due to a lack of eligible high school students completing the FAFSA/CA Dream Act.
What we offer
Join a cohort of schools committed to learning from one another
Evidence-Based Practices
Implement proven practices without starting from scratch. Use what’s working to develop tailored, well-vetted strategies.
Culture of Learning & Joy
Use Continuous Improvement to learn from data, test ideas, and close equity gaps.
Multidisciplinary Improvement Teams
Build capacity by earning trust and buy-in from cross-department teams that practice then help scale proven changes.
Tailored Coaching & Data Tracking
Create sustainable, timely data collection and analysis processes to guide cross-department coaching.
Our Impact & Reach
Students Who See College In Their Futures
Our network has developed practices and systems that guide students to opportunities they once believed were locked away from them.
Student outcomes
2021-22 Cohort: Boosting FAFSA Rates & Surpassing College Enrollment Averages!
Each school in our 2021-22 cohort increased FAFSA application rates and exceeded the state average in four-year college enrollment.
12% FAFSA Increase
10 out of 11 new schools onboarded in 2021-22 increased their FAFSA rates by an average of 12 points.
4% Increase in 4-Year College Enrollment
Four percentage point increase in four-year college enrollment from the start of the network to 2022
Participant Experience
Network participants experience both autonomy and meaningful connections that fuel their joy for supporting students on their path to postsecondary education.
100%
All participating educators agree the work is making a difference for the students they serve, exceeding the average of comparable networks
98%
Nearly all participating educators agree the data our network collects provides useful insights, exceeding the average of comparable networks
We are a network of schools determined to increase college enrollment rates for thousands of students — and we’re growing.
Case study
International Studies Learning Center (ISLC) High School
Opportunity
ISLC students were making decisions with the assumption that college wasn’t a real choice for them. They closed the door without ever applying because it didn’t seem possible.
Insight
Optional is not equitable. The entire school staff must be proactive, collaborative, and intentional about sharing the commitment to listen to students, change the culture, and strive for improved college enrollment.
South Gate, CA Los Angeles Unified School District; 928 total students, 98% Hispanic/Latino student body.
OUR INTERvention
A School-Wide, College-Going Culture
ISLC’s team facilitated a weekly work group with a by-student tracker, sharing ownership and accountability. The school implemented College AppFest, a dedicated time during the school day for students to fill out FAFSA/CA Dream Act applications and student surveys.
Results
ISLC staff led changes in the school’s college enrollment mindsets and practices, and their students’ mindsets and practices followed.
20%
ISLC achieved a 20 percentage point increase in California State University and University of California acceptance rates, from 64% in 2020 to 84% in 2024.
3x More
Since joining CARPE, ISLC made the California Student Aid Commission Race to Submit leaderboard 3 years in a row.
100%
ISLC achieved a 100% FAFSA/CA Dream Act completion rate, a 14 percentage point improvement since ISLC joined CARPE in 2017.
Testimonials
We’re here to support schools and districts committed to bringing college closer—and are eager to partner with like-minded educators and administrators to make this work possible.
Join Our Network! Complete this form to start the conversation
We’re here to support schools and districts committed to bringing college closer—and are eager to partner with like-minded educators and administrators to improve postsecondary outcomes for students.
