UMass Donahue Institute

Supporting the postsecondary success of all students is essential for enhancing the quality of life of individuals, families, and communities, as well as building a healthy economy. The city of Boston has an extensive system of college access and success resources that help students pursue one route to postsecondary success—obtaining a college degree. Many of these resources focus on traditionally underserved groups of students, with the goal of providing all students with equal and equitable opportunities to succeed in their education.

This report presents the findings of a study of the college access and success (CAS) landscape in Boston. In 2016, the Boston Foundation and Success Boston contracted with the UMass Donahue Institute (UMDI) to develop an inventory of CAS services available to Boston students. The study also addresses the distribution of resources across the city, identifies gaps and duplication of services, describes strengths and challenges of the existing system, and offers recommendations to improve the system’s effectiveness. Four appendices provides extensive information about each CBO, IHE, and high school that was identified as providing CAS supports; the organizations providing CAS services in each neighborhood; and the college access and success services provided by each organization.