Breakthrough measures its successes and shortcomings through a year-round assessment plan developed in consultation with outside research experts. Major findings for 2009-2010 school year include:
More than 90% of Breakthrough’s first three classes of seniors graduated from high school in four years—far exceeding the average completion rate of low-income students in Austin.
Approximately 75% of Breakthrough’s graduates enroll in college, almost doubling the average college enrollment rate for low-income students in Central Texas.
95% of the seniors in the Class of 2010 graduated from high school in four years.
The Class of 2010 earned admission to more than 35 colleges and universities including Baylor, Boston University, The Citadel, University of Northern Arizona, University of Houston, Texas A&M – Kingsville, University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas Lutheran University, Hampshire College, College of Wooster, Kansas State University, University of Nevada Las Vegas, and more. Two of our seniors were named Dell Scholars.
75% of Breakthrough graduates from the Class of 2009 enrolled in college, and 75% of our first class of college students (Class of 2008) persisted in college beyond their first year.
65% of seniors in the Class of 2010 were college-ready based on state standards, more than double the rate for low-income, non-Breakthrough students at their home campuses.
In 2009, summer program attendance for our 7th-9th grade students was over 90%. During the first three weeks of the 2010 Summer Program, we are seeing attendance rates at similarly high levels, indicating the enthusiasm for Breakthrough’s program.
In 2009, 100% of Breakthrough 9th graders were accepted to a high school that meets Breakthrough's criteria as a high performing high school -- this is a 10% increase from 2008.
This year, more than 80% of middle school and over 50% of high school students are enrolled in advanced courses.
In the fall of 2009, 70% of 7th-10th graders participated in Breakthrough's Saturdays at St. Stephen's and our new Saturday programming for 9th-10th graders.
More than 95% of 8th graders and their parents participated in a high school options conference and most seniors participated in a college options conference.
Twenty-five juniors and seniors received free SAT preparation classes over five Saturdays.
Our students stay involved – our attrition rate is less than 10% among all six cohorts.
All constituent groups--students, families, teachers and interns--agree that they would recommend participation in Breakthrough to others. Students report that Breakthrough has made them more certain that they will go to college, and parents say that involvement in Breakthrough has made them more certain that their children will go to college. In 2009, more than 90% of students and parents reported a high level of satisfaction with Breakthrough.
Click here to see how our students are doing compared to other Central Texas students.
