Our 2025 Annual Report: What Becomes Possible When Community Comes Together
We’re thrilled to share Mission Graduates’ 2025 Annual Report—a celebration of what became possible last year when our community came together to support students and families across San Francisco.
In a year marked by uncertainty, our community responded with determination. When federal policies threatened educational resources, we strengthened partnerships. When the FAFSA crisis hit California—resulting in a 24% statewide drop in applications—our students at Mission High and John O’Connell achieved 98% and 82% completion rates because teachers, counselors, and Mission Graduates staff worked side by side.
That’s what community in action looks like.
The Numbers Tell Part of the Story
Last year, we served more than 3,800 students and families from kindergarten through college graduation and into careers. The results reflect the power of comprehensive, sustained support:
- 100% of elementary school principals reported that our programming contributes to community and belonging in their schools
- 98% of Mission High seniors completed FAFSA applications (compared to a 24% statewide drop)
- 96% of College Connect seniors enrolled in four-year institutions
- 95% of College Connect freshmen persisted into their sophomore year
- 180+ volunteers contributed over 2,000 hours of support
But numbers only tell part of the story.
The People Behind the Impact
This report introduces you to the students, families, volunteers, and partners who make this work possible:
Damian, a fifth-grader at TECA whose math scores jumped from 197 to 204 after consistent after-school support. His father, Edilberto, watched the transformation: “Now I see that he has fun doing his homework, especially math. He knows how to do it.”
Luz Maria, a parent who joined our Parent Partner Program 10 years ago to support her own children and now serves as Promotora Principal at two elementary schools—even though her own children have moved on. She teaches parents about K2C college savings accounts, guides ELAC meetings, and builds the kind of trust that makes families comfortable asking questions they wouldn’t ask anyone else.
Diego, who transferred to Mission High halfway through sophomore year uncertain about his future. Daily visits to the Future Center led to a 4.0 GPA, a summer internship at the VA Hospital (waking up at 5am to work in the OR), and clarity about his path to becoming a CRNA. Today, he’s applying to top nursing programs—and bringing his friends to the Future Center too.
Adam, a Promise Scholar at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo who stayed connected with Mission Graduates throughout college. While his friends are just now thinking about internships in their third year, Adam started as a freshman because regular check-ins and Career Readiness workshops kept him focused. He landed a data analytics internship with the California State Bar and is now planning to launch his own nonprofit to support Arab and North African immigrant students.
Esme, an alumna who spent years watching her cousin navigate college applications through College Connect before joining the program herself at Galileo High School. After graduating from Chico State with a degree in Child Psychology and getting accepted to the Peace Corps, she chose to return home—becoming Beacon Director at Sanchez Elementary, creating the same family-centered support she once received.
Vaijayanti, a writing partner who gives one hour a week to help students craft college essays and practice interviews. “One hour in your week is a very small time commitment,” she reflects. “It’s one TV show, but it has a lifetime of impact on a student who doesn’t have that network.”
DeMario, a volunteer who facilitated workshops on networking and code-switching, then became a donor, then led a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign that brought 25 new supporters into the Mission Graduates community. “Peer-to-peer is more authentic because you’re not selling someone anything. You’re saying, ‘I believe in this. Come on that journey with me.'”
Responding to Community Needs
This year demonstrated our ability to respond nimbly when challenges emerge:
The Room to Breathe Project partnered with us to expand Wellness Coordinators from three to five school campuses, meeting the urgent need for mental health support in our elementary schools.
The new $1,000 scholarship program for all College Connect students combines financial support with engagement requirements—regular check-ins, workshop attendance, and career readiness programming. The data drove this decision: Mission Graduates students receiving persistence support and scholarships achieved on-time graduation at a rate 43% higher than those without support.
The Math Jam pilot at Marshall and Flynn Elementary provides twice-weekly targeted math interventions based on our data showing a strong correlation between hours of direct academic instruction and student math improvement. The goal is simple: make Damian’s progress the norm, not the exception.
Building on 50+ Years of Community Partnership
Mission Graduates has been rooted in the Mission District for more than 50 years. Last fall, we invested in our space on 16th Street and opened our doors to celebrate with the community. Neighbors, partners, and supporters—including District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder—showed up. Together, we collected enough book donations to stock shelves across all nine of our Extended Day and Beacon sites.
This work isn’t possible without partnership—with schools and families, with staff and volunteers, with donors and community organizations. The stories in this report reflect the strength of that collaboration.
Looking Ahead
As we move into 2025-26, we’re building on this momentum:
- Scaling data-driven interventions like Math Jam
- Deepening family engagement through the Parent Partner Program
- Ensuring every college student has the support to graduate
- Expanding partnerships that create comprehensive support
All 25 of our College Connect seniors applied to college this year, and 96% enrolled in four-year institutions. Alumni return to lead in our community. Writing partners spend hours each week helping students find their voice. Teachers stay late to review applications. Parents learn alongside their children. Donors rally friends to support our work.
This is what becomes possible when community comes together.
