OUR MISSION

Byrne Urban Scholars, a non-profit tax-exempt organization, provides financial, academic and emotional support to adolescents experiencing risk factors that reduce their odds of graduating high school. Utilizing a combination of mentoring, case management and partnership with families and top-performing Denver private and charter schools, Byrne Urban Scholars empowers participants to graduate high school with a meaningful life plan for future academic and/or career success.

BEAT THE ODDS

Byrne Urban Scholars has the flexibility to provide intense individual support to its scholars. We intentionally place our kids in Denver’s proven high schools that offer the highest graduation rates in the area. At these schools, our scholars find smaller classes, safer learning environments, easier access to teachers and counselors, and the best chance to succeed.

Byrne Urban Scholars offers a high school and middle school program, each designed to ensure scholars stay in school and graduate. For both programs, unconditional commitment from the scholar is required.

MILESTONES

Through this signature program, high school students benefit from one-to-one mentoring and academic support. Our mentors act as tutors, counselors and friends for their partner scholars. Mentors and scholars also participate in regularly scheduled trainings and workshops to help build trust. At each school, we have access to student grades, attendance records and other information for quick intervention, when needed. And after-school study halls, life-skills workshops and a minimum GPA requirement keep our kids focused and accountable.

STEPPING STONES

Research proves that kids drop out of school only after years of frustration and failure in early education. That’s why we want to reach our scholars as soon as possible. Started as a pilot program for middle school students in the 2005-06 school year, Stepping Stones is structured much the same as Milestones, but focuses more on after-school programming such as study halls and small group workshops on leadership, peer pressure and respect.