Sep102026
Education News

When a child grows up in a family where no one else has attended college, they need extra support to navigate the challenges they will face to graduate from college. 

Charter schools, especially Alliance College-Ready Public Schools network, exist to address these sociocultural, academic, economic, and situational challenges first-generation college students face.

Alliance schools offer: 

  • College-preparatory focused classes 
  • Learning interventions to catch students up with peers
  • AP courses for deeper understanding
  • Expectation-setting experiences
  • Building shared community values 
  • Family education

This preparation works; compared to students from similar socio-economic backgrounds, Alliance scholars are 3.5x more likely to graduate from college. 

Building the Educational Foundation

Preparing first-generation scholars for college begins in the classroom. 

At Alliance schools, the curriculum is based on twin goals. The first is to ensure all students graduate from high school. The second is to prepare them to be accepted to and graduate from college. This includes building the skills, mindset, and support system to succeed in a rigorous college curriculum. 

Intervention classes provide additional help to scholars struggling in subjects such as math or English language development. Scholars who want to focus on a particular strength can take Advanced Placement courses in the topic or even apply to a school with a specialized focus such as STEM or leadership.

Creating an Experience of Expectation

One of the most important differentiators at Alliance is that students are referred to as “college-ready scholars,” building an identity of respect and capability from their first moment. By providing personalized college counseling and opportunities to visit college campuses, Alliance builds a community with a shared expectation of higher education success.  

Supporting the Network

Alliance offers multiple programs that help ease the transition to college. Families can attend workshops to learn about financial aid and applying for scholarships. Alliance hires education professionals from the alumni network to show current scholars models of success from their community.  Alumni and their families also offer programs to the current community, discussing how to best navigate the high school and college experience. 

Results

By building the skills and mindset that first-generation college students need to have a successful higher education experience, an incredible 95% of Alliance scholars graduate from high school and are accepted to college. 

Learn more about how Alliance supports first-generation college students and support our work at The Alliance College-Ready Public Schools Foundation. 

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