Thrive Scholars 6-Year Program

Institution:

Thrive Scholars

State:

California

Academic Level:

Community-Based Organization

Issue Area:

Support Services

Program Focus:

Career/Workforce, First Year Support

Website:

https://www.leafca.org/

Key Personnel:

Raynise Smith

Contact Info:

rsmith@thrivescholars.org | 617.500.4449 x399

Overview

Thrive Scholars is a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering high-achieving students of color from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve economic mobility. Primarily supporting Latino (44%) and Black (38%) students from families earning less than $45,000 annually, Thrive Scholars aims to foster leaders in STEM and corporate sectors. The 6-Year Program targets key inflection points: expert college advising, academic preparation, socio-emotional and financial support, and career development. Goals include ensuring 89% of Scholars, including 91% of Latino Scholars, enroll in top colleges, graduate with a 3.0+ GPA and high STEM persistence, and secure meaningful careers or graduate school placements with starting salaries exceeding $67,500.

Program Description

Thrive Scholars began as a scholarship program in 2002 in Los Angeles, California. Recognizing the disparities in higher education access, economic mobility, and workforce representation for Latino and Black students, the program has evolved over 20 years to provide holistic support. The 6-Year Program includes intensive academic preparation through two six-week summer sessions of college-level math and writing, advising for top college admissions with no or low-loan packages, and comprehensive first-year college support. Additionally, they offer industry-specific coaching to boost career readiness, complete paid internships, and connect students to professional networks. The commitment by Thrive Scholars to diversity, equity, and inclusion guides their program design, incorporating culturally responsive approaches and resources that resonate with Latino students and their families. Thrive Scholars validate the cultural wealth students bring, providing bilingual programming and continuous improvement based on feedback and progress tracking.

Outcome

In 2022-2023, of the 1006 students served, 45% identified as Latino, and 50% of the alumni are Latino. For the last three years, the program has demonstrated positive outcomes for Latino participants in the following areas:

Enrollment Rates: Almost 90% of Scholars from each of the program’s three high school classes between 2021 and 2023 enrolled in top colleges—in 2021, 87% overall (Latino: 85%); in 2022, 91% overall (Latino: 95%); and in 2023, 88% overall (Latino: 93%). In comparison, fewer than 50% of low-income students who are academically qualified for top colleges actually attend them.
Persistence Rates: In 2021, program participants overall graduated with a 3.23 GPA and 65% STEM persistence rate (Latino: 3.24, 64%); in 2022, a 3.42 GPA and 74% STEM persistence (Latino: 3.36, 71%); in 2023, 3.47 GPA and 71% STEM persistence (Latino: 3.37, 72%). These outcomes surpass the average college GPA and STEM persistence rate at top colleges (3.4; <50%). In addition, 99% of the Scholars graduate college in comparison to 50% of typical high-achieving, low-income students.
Career Attainment: In 2022, the placement rate for Thrive Scholars was 76% overall, with Latino students achieving an 81% placement rate and earning an average starting salary of $65,630. In 2023, the placement rate increased to 79% overall, with 73% for Latino students and an average starting salary of $73,933 for Latino students. These outcomes are consistent with the National Association of Colleges and Employers' (NACE) findings of a 78% first-destination placement rate overall (80% for Latino students) and exceed the national full-time employee salary mean of $58,151 for Latino students.

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