Institution Hyde Square Task Force, Inc. State Massachusetts Academic Level Community-Based Organization Issue Area Retention Website https://www.hydesquare.org/ Key Personnel Brenda Rodriguez-Andujar Program Focus First Year Support Overview The College Success Program helps students—a majority of whom are Latino— transition into college, persist, and graduate through one-on-one coaching beginning senior year of high school and ending at college graduation. Its goal is to help program participants persist in college and graduate. Program Description Established in 2009, the College Success Program started as part of the Boston Foundation’s Success Boston initiative, which was designed in response to data outlining low college completion rates for Boston Public Schools (BPS) graduates. The College Success Program offers program participants year-round, one-on-one coaching beginning spring of senior year to ensure students are on track to attend college and graduate from college. At the beginning and of each semester, coaches provide more intensive support to students, as many students need support at the beginning of the semester to adjust to their course schedules and troubleshoot issues that arise, while at the end of the semester, students often need help preparing for finals. Coaches aim to interact with 1st and 2nd year college students twice per month, and upperclassmen at least once per semester, checking in more often as needed. Coaching check-ins take place on campuses where students attend, at Hyde Square Task Force headquarters, or are conducted via email or phone. These touchpoints are critical in ensuring that students keep track of things like add/drop deadlines for courses or waiving their health insurance, which can be confusing or overwhelming, particularly for program participants who are primarily Latino, first-generation college students. Outcome Increased college enrollment: In 2019, 100% of program graduates enrolled in college compared to 74% of 2018 non-program, high school graduates. Increased college graduation: Of program alumni from 2012 – 2018, 63% have either graduated or are still actively pursuing a degree. Learn more about Latino College Completion in Massachusetts Return to Growing What Works Database