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DREAM. SEE. DO.
Our world is better when every young person can find their purpose.
How Our Model Makes Us Different
We empower young people to discover their purpose through mentoring, summer experiential learning, and by providing support during the critical transition from high school to post-secondary education through to launching a fulfilling career.
Sophomore Year
Starting as sophomores, Summer Search students are paired with a professional staff mentor for 1-on-1 mentoring conversations. They also participate in group mentoring sessions where students meet with their mentor and a group of fellow high school peers.
In these student-led conversations and group mentoring sessions, students engage in activities, reflection, and discussion to support identity development, career exploration, financial literacy, and other practical skill development.
soaring high school achievement
93% of High school seniors accepted to college
In high school, young people are in the midst of understanding who they want to be and what they want to do as adults. Our program is designed to partner with young people to practice skills that help them better understand their motivations, relationships, and goals, so that they can leverage this knowledge in relentless pursuit of their purpose. Our support begins in the sophomore year of high school and continues through to launching a career and achieving financial well-being.
summer Experiences Broaden our horizons
97% of students said they had fun and were challenged on their summer trip
Research shows that summer experiences provide potent developmental experiences. Parents, participants, and program staff report significant positive change in identity, social skills, thinking skills, and positive values that are maintained and improved six months later. Summer Search offers two summer experiences ranging from outdoor trips, to academic programs, to service experiences, to internships.
post-secondary success
62% of our students earn a bachelors degree compared to 21% of their peers
So, what do you want to do after high school? Partner with us to navigate toward your post-secondary dreams. Summer Searchers explore many different post-high-school pathways and receive individualized support, financial aid advising, and college/career guidance as you determine which path is best for you and your goals.
ALUMNI NETWORK
4,900 alumni who are making a positive impact on the world.
Our alumni network is nationwide and diverse. Our students graduate to wonderful careers in all industries, such as law, business, culinary, arts, etc. Our online Connect portal provides them a way to easily connect and network about job opportunities, life advice, and friend groups.
FOR PARENTS
FAQs
Summer Search is a year-round program that empowers young people to confidently pursue their vision of success during and after high school through mentoring, summer experiential learning opportunities, individualized college & post-secondary advising, and career supports.
We believe that all young people should have the support to pursue their purpose and secure their financial futures. Starting in sophomore year, your student will be paired with a staff mentor and a group of peers for regular conversations where they will work together on building social emotional and leadership skills and exploring college and career options after high school. Your student will receive support from our community for 7-9 years as your student journeys from high school through to launching their career.
We partner with more than 90 high schools in the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Philadelphia, Boston and New York city. Please visit our school partner page to learn whether Summer Search is working with your student’s high school.
There is no cost to participate in the Summer Search program.
Sophomores who attend one of our partner schools (or are connected with one of our partners) and who meet our eligibility guidelines can apply to Summer Search. To be eligible for Summer Search, prospective students must be sophomores from a partner school, be Free and Reduced lunch-eligible and be born on or after August 1, 2003.
Your student will be invited to complete an online application linked to the Summer Search website. Once they complete their part of the application, you’ll receive an email invitation to review their application and complete some additional information about yourself and your household in your preferred language. This step may include providing income verification.
Your student will participate in an interview or welcome conversation with Summer Search to get to more information about the program and meet some of our staff to help your student decide whether to enroll in our program.
The power of this program comes from the combination of the depth of support provided by Summer Search and the mutual investment made by each young person in our program. Initially to enroll in the program you and your student will be asked to complete an application which includes providing information about your family’s financial picture.
Once your student is accepted into the program, you will be invited to talk with your child’s mentor over the phone, review materials about the program in your preferred language and attend an orientation (which will be virtual in the 2020/2021 school year) to share more details and answer questions. There are other opportunities to connect with your child’s mentor and post-secondary advisor through the program, including attending events and meetings. There is no cost to participate in the Summer Search program.
Student Benefits
SUMMER SEARCHERS ARE FINDING THEMSELVES & BUILDING THEIR FUTURES
-Marie Angeles
Summer Search ALUMNA & MEMBER OF SEATTLE'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS
"[My summer experience] showed me so much about myself and the world... Now, when I think of my career and how I shape it, at the heart will always be this commitment to help others find their success and do it in a way that creates a stronger community."
-Phuong Nhat Nguyen
Summer search alumna
"Summer Search gave me that platform to reclaim my identity. [My mentor] gave me that pat on the back for all the time I spent perfecting my English. I was recognized for my quiet struggles as an immigrant that came to America."
-Arsel Perez
Summer search ALUMNUS
"[My mentor] really made me analyze my position and give myself a plan for after high school...I definitely want a career where I can help people and serve my community members."
NEXT STEP
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National Partners
Summer Search is available to all, without regard to race, color, origin, gender, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, or religion. Summer Search is a US tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID Number: 68-0200138).
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