As national math and reading scores for U.S. students reach their lowest levels in decades, according to the Nation’s Report Card (NAEP), Boys & Girls Clubs help young people beat the odds supporting academics afterschool and building the skills and confidence to succeed beyond graduation.
ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As graduation season begins, a critical question is facing families, employers and educators alike: Are young people truly prepared for what comes after high school?
At a time when U.S. student achievement in math and reading has declined to historic lows, and workforce gaps continue to grow, Boys & Girls Clubs of America is helping close the readiness gap, ensuring more teens graduate with a clear plan for their future.
In fact, Boys & Girls Clubs support millions of young people on the path to graduation each year, making them one of the largest contributors to graduating future-ready youth in the country.
For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs have supported young people during key moments of growth. Today, that mission is more urgent than ever. Nearly 3 in 4 recent graduates say they feel underprepared for life after high school, and more than 1 million teens are disconnected from both school and work.
Through a nationwide network of more than 5,500 locations, Boys & Girls Clubs serve 4 million youth annually providing academic support, workforce readiness programming and trusted mentorship that helps young people graduate ready for work, life and leadership.
Compared to their peers, Club kids’ outcomes are changing for the better:
- 97% of Club teens expect to graduate from high school. The national graduation rate is 87%.
- 4 in 5 Club kids report earning mostly A’s and B’s, while 72% of youth nationally report earning mostly A’s and B’s.
- 86% of Club kids say they know which career path they plan to pursue.
- Nearly 9 in 10 Club teens feel confident about getting a job after graduation.
- 9 in 10 Club kids report having a trusted adult they can turn to for guidance and support.
That success does not end at graduation; the long-term impact is clear among Boys & Girls Club alumni. For example, 8 in 10 adults who had a Boys & Girls Club experience say the Club gave them the support they needed to graduate high school. Among young adults, 8 in 10 say they have the skills necessary to pursue their chosen career path, and outcomes show they are significantly more likely to be working full time than their peers. And at a time when fewer Americans report doing better than their parents, 3 in 4 Club alumni say their lives are stronger because of the opportunities and support they received at the Club.
“Graduation is a major milestone, but it’s not the finish line,” said Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Young people need more than a diploma — they need the confidence, skills and connections to enter adulthood ready for what’s next. Today, 97% of Club members expect to graduate high school, according to our Youth Right Now survey, a powerful sign of their ambition and optimism. At a time when the path after graduation feels less certain for many teens, Boys & Girls Clubs, with support from our partners, are helping young people build the workforce and life skills to succeed — and strengthening the talent readiness America needs.”
Academic Support and Early Learning Help Teens Stay on Track
“Readiness doesn’t happen overnight, but graduation is a critical step toward it,” said Jennifer Bateman, senior vice president of Youth Development at Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Young people succeed when they have access to consistent opportunities, supportive environments and caring adults who help them practice real-world skills long before they enter adulthood. That is what Boys & Girls Clubs have been building across a century of caring about what young people need most. And it’s why so many Club teens leave high school confident, capable and prepared for what comes next.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of America is expanding access to real-world experiences that help teens translate education into opportunity – from academic support and literacy development to mentorship, leadership opportunities and post-secondary pathways. This long-standing commitment is strengthened through partnerships with leading national organizations.
Panda Cares Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Panda Express, supports youth nationwide through Panda Cares Centers of Hope and Project Learn academic enrichment grants, expanding safe spaces and academic opportunity. Ross Stores continues to invest in teen success through scholarships and Power Hour homework help and tutoring programming. Raymond James supports Club teens through its Ready for School initiative, helping them build leadership skills and prepare for success inside, outside, and beyond the classroom. Through its “Great Futures Fueled Here” campaign, Murphy USA helps ensure youth in the communities it serves have access to educational programs and opportunities for their future.
Additional support comes from the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, which promotes academic success by reducing learning loss, and the 7-Eleven Cares Foundation, supported by 7-Eleven, Inc., through initiatives like Project A-Game where participating franchise owners and corporate stores help local youth stay on track to graduate.
Boys & Girls Clubs are also building strong foundations early. Carter’s Charitable Foundation supports early childhood education and literacy initiatives that expand access to care and prepare children for success in school and beyond.
From local neighborhoods to Native lands and U.S. military installations around the world, Boys & Girls Clubs meet young people where they are, ensuring access to safe spaces, strong mentors and life-changing opportunities in every kind of community. This includes a deep commitment to advancing academic success and graduation outcomes for Native youth, with leaders like Gary Wendt supporting expanded access to culturally relevant programming and postsecondary pathways across Indian Country. Now in its third year, this investment is strengthening Native Clubs nationwide through programs like Project Learn, Diplomas to Degrees and Native-adapted Summer Brain Gain—helping more young people stay on track to graduate and prepare for college and career success.
Scholarships and Career Pathways Open Doors After Graduation
Boys & Girls Clubs of America and its partners are helping teens connect graduation milestones to future career and educational opportunities. Charles Schwab Foundation helps teens build money management skills through the Money Matters: Make It Count personal financial literacy program, awarding a $10,000 scholarship to one Ambassador and $5,000 scholarships to four runners-up.
Planet Fitness supports postsecondary success through its Judgement Free Generation™ Scholarship program, awarding fifty $5,000 scholarships each year to Club seniors who model the Judgement Free™, pro-kindness values for which Planet Fitness and Boys & Girls Clubs of America collectively stand; to date, the program has provided $1.65 million in scholarships.
Panda Cares Foundation supports graduating Club members through the Panda Cares Scholars Program, awarding scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $25,000 to recognize leadership, character and academic achievement.
Dependable Mentors Help Young People Reach Milestones
Consistent relationships with caring adults remain one of the strongest predictors of long-term success for young people. Through a shared commitment to dependability, Maytag brand and Boys & Girls Clubs of America honor the mentors who help make graduation possible through the Dependable Leader Award and a $20,000 grant supporting impactful Club programs nationwide.
STEM and Creative Experiences Prepare Teens for the Future Workforce
Boys & Girls Clubs are helping teens build critical thinking, creativity and innovation skills that prepare them for future careers.
Thermo Fisher Scientific marks 10 years of expanding STEM access for Club youth through DIY programming, staff training and employee volunteerism.
Additional support from Arconic Foundation and Overdeck Family Foundation is helping Boys & Girls Clubs of America strengthen STEM program quality, expand access to hands-on learning opportunities, and support academic success and future readiness for youth across the Club network.
Beyond STEM, Boys & Girls Clubs are expanding creative expression through the arts. A partnership with Michaels supports creative arts programs at Clubs across the U.S. and Canada to fuel the joy of creativity and help young people build the confidence and skills to reach their full potential.
Expanding Digital Access Helps More Teens Graduate Ready
As technology becomes essential to academic and career success, Boys & Girls Clubs partners are helping bridge the digital divide nationwide.
AT&T expands access through its Connected Learning initiative, providing technology, digital skills training and Connected Learning Centers. T‑Mobile supports connectivity through Project 10 Million, offering free internet access and mobile hotspots to keep Club youth on track.
Since 1977, the James M. Cox Foundation and Cox Communications have funded technology centers and advanced digital access and literacy for young people nationwide.
Through its Digital Communities initiative, American Tower Corporation is investing in technology center refreshes that provide youth with access to learning experiences that enhance digital literacy.
Ball Foundation is supporting manufacturing & STEM education initiatives by delivering integrated activities and learning experiences in science, environmental studies, sustainability, and conservation.
Supporting the Next Generation Beyond Graduation
As the Class of 2026 celebrates, Boys & Girls Clubs of America is calling on the public to help accelerate 4 million youth toward graduation and beyond.
This June, Ross Stores will double every dollar donated, up to $50,000, expanding access to the opportunities that make success possible.
To learn more and get involved, visit bgca.org/graduation.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Over 5,500 Clubs serve more than 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. The national headquarters is located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Contacts
Andrea Holliday, [email protected]
