Citizen Schools

Citizen Schools accelerates college and career readiness through an innovative Expanded Learning Time model that is rigorous and evidence-based. We partner with high-need middle schools to provide "apprenticeships” (hands-on projects taught by volunteers from business and civic organizations), academic support, and a culture of high expectations. As a result, we help our students develop the skills, knowledge and beliefs they need to succeed in middle school, advance towards college, and become leaders in their careers and communities.

Founded in 1995, Citizen Schools currently operates in eight states (California, Massachusetts, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and Texas), serving approximately 5,000 students and engaging more than 4,000 volunteer Citizen Teachers. Nationally, Citizen Schools plans to scale its model to reach 10,000 students annually by 2017.

Citizen Schools has been recognized as a national model program by the White House and the U.S. Department of Education, has been named a national winner of Fast Company Magazine’s Social Capitalist Award, and has been chosen by the Skoll Foundation as a winner of the Skoll Social Entrepreneurship Award.