The state of Texas ranks 48th in the nation for four year high school graduates. In addition, lower income students are seven times less likely to go to college than their higher income counterparts. Breakthrough Austin looks to change these trends in Austin, Texas and give kids from lower income areas the tools and knowledge to succeed.
The Breakthrough program admits lower income students starting in grade six and makes a six-year commitment to help them graduate from high school and prepare for college. Year-round Breakthrough volunteers nurture the relationship between students, parents, schools and community to make sure that each student’s needs -- whether academic, emotional, social or physical -- are met. Middle school students at Breakthrough Austin have the opportunity to attend a rigorous six-week academic summer session at The University of Texas at Austin. Breakthrough Austin supports its students as they prepare for college admission tests through SAT/ACT prep courses, attend college fairs, complete college applications and begin scholarship searches.