Who We Are

Our mission is to build a culture in the public schools in which students aspire to attend and graduate from college; to provide financial incentives and support for those students; and to facilitate their return to live, work and serve in the greater New Haven community.

Founder’s Big Vision

New Haven is a caring community where young people gain the education and experience required to function productively in a knowledge-based economy.

Our overarching goals:

Cultivate an aspiration for college in New Haven public school students
Build community and parental engagement
Grow economic development in the City of New Haven

The Challenge

In 2009, the school district had five straight years of decreasing student enrollment and low graduation rates, creating instability within the education structures and contributing to a widening income gap, increasing unemployment, and ultimately, unacceptable rates of crime in the Elm City.

The Solution

An incentive-based, comprehensive program engaging students, families, educators, the community, and businesses, designed to educate and change behaviors, creating an ecosystem that ensures students are ready for college, careers, and life.

The Solution

An incentive-based, comprehensive program engaging students, families, educators, the community, and businesses, designed to educate and change behaviors, creating an ecosystem that ensures students are ready for college, careers, and life.

The Promise Journey: Making the Promise of college and career a reality

New Haven Promise empowers students and young adults to achieve their academic and professional dreams. Promise is an investment in young people—their future, skills, talent, and capabilities—who will go on to shape their community, civic society, and the opportunities and possibilities for those who follow in their footsteps. We launch young people TO college and support them THROUGH college on their way to becoming leaders BACK in our city.