College Bound’s 11 Campaign

College Bound was founded in 1991, on the premise of pairing students with adult volunteers to work toward academic goals that will foster meaningful and effective mentoring relationships.  Through a combination of mentoring, tutoring, and scholarship opportunities, College Bound provides underserved 8-12th grade D.C. public school students with access to one of life’s greatest gifts - the opportunity to obtain a college education.  College Bound seeks to improve the quality of life for our students by securing their access to higher education.  The mission of College Bound is to prepare public school students in the metropolitan D.C. area to enter college, earn a degree, and achieve their personal and professional goals.

In the nation’s capital, an estimated 11 public school students drop out of the system each school day.  Failing to earn their high school diplomas, they put the city’s graduation rate more than 20 percentage points below the national average.  Unlike the nation as a whole, D.C.’s graduation rate has been dropping since 2001; it is currently less than 50%. Comparatively, the U.S. average is 71 percent, with some states like Iowa and New Jersey boasting rates upward of 80 percent.   College Bound, Inc. has consistently helped 100% of its high school seniors complete high school and over 95% matriculate at the college of their choice.   This data clearly shows, College Bound students graduate from high school at approximately two times the rate of their counterparts, and they go to college at an even higher rate.  
The thought of 11 students dropping out of school daily is unacceptable.  For this reason, College Bound initiates the 11 Campaign.  The fundamental purpose of the 11 Campaign is to educate stakeholders about the dropout rate in D.C. and the consequences of this abysmal dilemma.   It also serves as an opportunity to enlist individuals to support us financially in our life changing work.   By making a one-time or recurring monthly donation of $11 or a multiple of 11, you can help College Bound continue to empower students to not only graduate from high school but enter college, earn a degree, and achieve their personal and professional goals.

To contribute to College Bound’s 11 Campaign, visit www.collegebound.org and click on donate.  You may also mail checks directly to: College Bound, Inc. 128 M Street NW, Suite 220, Washington, D.C. 20001.