About the program
Future Grads supports students to and through college graduation. Our students receive counseling for applications, financial aid forms, and college selection. They also develop social emotional skills, including how to ask for help, access resources, and build support networks.
Unlike other college access programs that only accept high-achieving students, Future Grads is open to any student at our partner high schools:
El Camino High School (South San Francisco)
TIDE Academy (Menlo Park)
Jefferson High School (Daly City)
Westmoor High School (Daly City)
South San Francisco High School (South San Francisco)
Sequoia High School (Redwood City)
Menlo-Atherton (Menlo Park)
East Palo Alto Academy (EPA)
Woodside High School (Woodside)
Participation in the Future Grads program begins in the summer before 10th grade and continues through college graduation.
Nearly all of our Future Grads students are low-income, first generation college students. Of our students, 82% are Latino, 9% are Black, and 2% are Pacific Islander. Future Grads is currently serving 300 students per year and aims to increase impact over the next four years.
In Future Grads, we aim to achieve the following results:
By 2024, serve 800 students per year
100% of our high school students will graduate from high school
98% of our 12th graders will enroll in and attend college
90% of our college students will graduate from a four-year college
For questions about Future Grads, contact Esmeralda Ortiz, Senior Director of Post-Secondary Success Programs, eortiz@bgcp.org or (650) 587-9373.
SUPPORT A FUTURE GRAD TO AND THROUGH COLLEGE
Become a Future GradS Coach
We are seeking coaches who are passionate about supporting a first-generation college student and can be their cheerleader through the process. As a coach, you will:
Help students identify what matters to them in a college
Support students in researching and applying to the best-fit colleges
Help edit college and scholarship essays
Support their college application and financial aid process
Help to ease student anxieties about being able to “make it” in college
To learn more or to apply to be a coach, click on the button below. Deadline to apply is March 22.
INVEST IN FUTURE GRADS
Our innovative Future Grads model is highly effective and efficient. “Crews” of students support each other on their paths to post-secondary success, empowering students to take initiative, solve problems, access resources, and develop leadership. Leveraging “Crews” as well as volunteer Future Grads coaches has enabled BGCP to drive costs down to just $2,000 to serve one Future Grads student for one full year—less than half the cost of alternative programs.
Future Grads donors make multi-year gifts that support the 8-year commitment we make to get our students through college. If you would like to learn more about investing in Future Grads, click the link below or contact Sisley Brewer, Director of Major Gifts & Volunteerism, at sbrewer@bgcp.org.
FUTURE GRADS STORIES
JESSICA
She's allergic to cats, but that won't stop her from becoming a veterinarian-- a true animal lover! Jessica is graduating from UC Davis with a bachelor's in Animal Science, specialization in Captive & Companion Animals, with a minor in Chicanx Studies! Jessica has kept herself busy working as a veterinary assistant, fundraiser coordinator and vice president for Pre-Vet Students Diversity Club, tutor for school-aged children, and undergraduate researcher in the B3 Lab! In her free time, you will find her baking, mentoring students from under represented communities, and exploring new places with her fur baby. Jessica is most inspired by her parents bravery, who left their home in Mexico 22 years ago. She aspires to open her own animal shelter, with a clinic inside, and continue to mentor high school and pre-vet students! Jessica's next step is vet school! Congratulations, Jessica... or should we say Dr. Robles-Diaz!
ADRIÁN
Walking encyclopedia of fun facts, Menlo-Atherton Bear, and a BGCP member for the last ten years. Adrian, is passionate about social and political issues and conflicts domestically and internationally. He has demonstrated this through his participation in Bridge Club and Intercambio Club. When he isn't focused on school you can find Adrian playing, watching, or coaching soccer, writing poetry in Spanish and English, and practicing on his guitar. Adrian aspires to find a career that blends political and social work, and a big bonus if he can simultaneously work on his musical and writing pursuits! This fall Adrian will be attending San Jose State University, and intends to major in Political Science. The Spartan community will be so lucky to have you! Congratulations!
MAYA
This Woodside Wildcat is a self-taught artist and has big dreams to travel to all seven continents. Maya has been playing soccer for 12 years and has no plans on stopping! She has played for different clubs, on her high school team, and she currently coaches little kids! Maya is most inspired by how brilliant her sister is. This fall Maya will be attending the University of San Francisco, and will be studying Sociology. Congratulations, Maya, and go Dons!
ELIZABETH
Soon-to-be Woodside High School graduate, Elizabeth, has been a part of BGCP for the last three years. Elizabeth has kept herself busy during her high school career with working part-time, participating in an internship at Facebook, Future Grads, and taking college courses over the summer. For fun, Elizabeth likes going on spontaneous adventures, listening to music, singing off-key, and playing soccer. In 10 years, Elizabeth sees herself as a pediatrician and giving back to her community. She will be joining the Banana Slug community at UC Santa Cruz this fall, and will be majoring in Neuroscience! Way to go, Elizabeth!
OMAR
Omar loves to binge-watch series like How I Met Your Mother, play soccer and video games, and watch the sun rise and set. Omar joined College Bound, what is now known as Future Grads, back in 2017, graduated high school in 2018, and has completed his bachelor's degree in THREE YEARS. Omar is graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Chicana and Chicano Studies, with a minor in Applied Psychology! He most admires his parents for their perseverance through all the challenges they have faced. Omar sees himself finding his place in the world and supporting his immediate family financially, emotionally, and physically. He aspires to become a professor at a university, or even start a non-profit. Omar's next step will be to apply to a PhD program in Counseling Psychology or Chicano/a Studies.