BGCP uniquely brings together schools, families, government, corporations, nonprofit organizations and volunteers, leveraging their strengths, to increase high school graduation rates.

Schools

Students attend school for seven hours a day, so schools must be a key part of the solution.  In our experience, schools and teachers very much want all their students to succeed, but they cannot do everything themselves.  BGCP influences students to view teachers as allies, not adversaries.  It steers students to take advantage of opportunities their schools already offer.

BGCP reaches more students efficiently and effectively by running programs on school campuses.  The school provides the space after school and during summers for free.  BGCP staff works closely with the principal and teachers to align after school instruction with the school day curriculum; its enrichment programs reinforce what students learn during the school day.  BGCP staff participates in school teacher training, and staff confers with teachers to understand each student’s academic and social needs.  School teachers monitor the quality of after school instruction.  The after school program is an extension of the normal school day, not a separate program.

BGCP partners with five school districts and currently runs programs at eight schools.  At the four elementary and middle schools, it runs programs every school day for three hours after school.  Members attend daily.  At the four high schools it runs enrichment and life skills classes on a weekly basis both during the school day and after school.  In 2010, BGCP ran summer programs at six schools.

Each of these eight schools is located near one of BGCP’s three clubhouses in a hub and spoke model.  It leverages synergies between the clubhouses and school sites by sharing staff, programs and facilities.  Given that the clubhouses are close to maximum capacity, school sites are a way to serve more students.
Current specific school partners include:

• Ravenswood City School District
• Brentwood Academy (K –5)
• Belle Haven School (K – 8)
• Redwood City Elementary School District
• Taft Elementary (K – 5)
• Hoover School (5 – 8)
• Menlo Park Elementary School District
• We hosted programs for their students who live in East Palo Alto at our East Palo Alto clubhouse over the summer.
• Sequoia Union High School District
• Menlo-Atherton High (9 – 12)
• Sequoia High (9 – 12)
• San Mateo County Office of Education
• Community School South (9 – 12)
• Community School Central (9 – 12)

Community Colleges

BGCP works closely with Canada College and Foothill College to prepare high school students for college.  These community colleges provide professional training, career exposure and college prep classes.  They help prepare students for college level classes so they are not part of the 80% of community college students who must retake high school level classes.

Families

Most parents want to support their children but don’t know how.  Only 7% of students in these at-risk neighborhoods have a parent who attended college.  BGCP helps families navigate the complicated educational system.  It serves as a bridge between the schools and families, increasing parental involvement.  It holds family nights to bring families together.  It provides parent education classes so students hear consistent messages from parents and staff.  And it encourages parents to volunteer.

Government

Over the past few years, federal and state funding has become available for school based after school programs.  These grants are competitive, and BGCP has succeeded in winning them in partnership with the school districts.  By leveraging these funds, BGCP reduces the cost of its programs almost by half.

Cities are facing budget cuts and lack the resources and expertise to meet all the needs of their most at-risk youth.  BGCP helps fill the gaps.  At Belle Haven School, BGCP runs programs with city employees.  In Redwood City, BGCP partners with the Police Activities League and Parks & Recreation to serve more youth.  In all three cities staff works closely with local police to create positive community relationships.

Corporations

BGCP provides local corporations with a way to help at-risk youth graduate from high school with a plan.  Some corporations encourage their employees to volunteer.  Some broaden students’ horizons by showing them various career opportunities.  This exposure is critical to helping students set life goals and seeing the importance of education.  Some provide pro bono functional expertise in areas such as marketing, finance, IT.  And some invest financially.  Current major partners include:  Intel, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Seiler & Co., Adobe, Microsoft, Oracle.

Community Based Organizations

BGCP brings in other nonprofits that have specific programming expertise to help meet the needs of its members and families.  It collaborates with partners for parent education, mental health, art, athletic leagues, mentors, science classes, math instruction, food, community service, etc.  Examples include:

• Parent education programs:  Children’s Health Council, Foothill, Canada
• Mental Health Services:  Ravenswood Health Center, Adolescent Counseling Services
• Specialized programming:  Art in Action, Team up for Youth, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Spark, Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo, Bulldog Sports, Positive Coach Alliance, Hidden Villa, and Stanford Science Super Stars
• Snacks and food for families:  Second Harvest Food Bank

Volunteers

One of the ways BGCP has been able to increase its impact is by recruiting and training over 500 volunteers who work regularly with students.  People want to help their community, and BGCP is making easier.

Partners by Name

Adolescent Counseling Services

City of East Palo Alto

Entrepreneurs' Foundation

Girls for a Change

John Gardner Center at Stanford University

Lively Arts

Oracle Corporation

Positive Coaching Alliance

Ravenswood City School District

Ravenswood Family Health Center

Redwood City Police Athletic Leagues

San Mateo County Sheriff's Athletic Leagues

Redwood City Elementary School District

San Mateo County Office of Education

San Mateo County Juvenile Probation

Second Harvest Food Bank

Sequoia Union High School District

Stanford New Schools

Stanford University Art Department

Stanford University Graduate School of Business

Stanford University Haas Center for Public Service

Stanford University School of Education

Stanford University Society of Black Scientists and Engineers

Stanford University Squash

Stanford University Wrestling

The Tech Museum of Innovation

Youth Community Service