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Our Impact

Since 2008, the local Say Yes to Education partnership has worked to ensure that every public school student in Syracuse has the ability to reach his or her academic potential, by providing comprehensive support services and college scholarships. The initiatives put in place through cross governance and strategic partnerships continue to positively impact Syracuse City School District students.

Say Yes Syracuse has worked in close partnership with Syracuse University, the Syracuse City School District, the City of Syracuse, Onondaga County, Onondaga County Community College, the Syracuse Teachers Association, as well as with community-based organizations and local businesses, toward a single, overriding goal: to ensure that every student in Syracuse has the ability to reach his or her academic potential. The partnership is providing comprehensive support services and college scholarships to help students succeed and it is backing efforts by SCSD to become the most improved urban district in the nation.

A Look at our Impact

  • 6,256 Say Yes students have enrolled in 2 and 4-year colleges (public and private) since the fall of 2009.
  • From 2008 to 2023, $14.8 million in Say Yes Syracuse scholarships have been paid for scholars to date.
  • From 2008 to 2023, more than $189 million in cumulative external aid has been provided to Say Yes Syracuse scholars to date.
  • 33% of the overall SCSD Class of 2021* continued on to their second year of college, whereas 75% of Say Yes Class of 2022 Scholars did.
    • 67% of Say Yes scholars attending 4-year public schools and 93% of scholars attending 4-year private schools continued to their second year.
    • 57% of Say Yes scholars attending 2-year public schools continued to their second year.
  • 43% of the SCSD Class of 2023 completed a Say Yes application and 64% of Say Yes applicants enrolled in college in Fall 2023.
  • The SCSD graduation rate increased by 53% over the past 13 years from 45% in 2010 to 69% in 2023.
  • The 2023 graduation rate of Black and Asian students in the Syracuse City School District (SCSD) exceeded that of White students, signaling that the program is helping students break through challenges historically caused by systemic racism.

*SCSD matriculation rates are provided by the National Student Clearinghouse and represent the 2021-22 class year.

To find out more, please read our 2022-2023 Report Card. 

To learn about the impact Say Yes to Education Syracuse has made watch this video!

 

Contact Us

Are you inspired by the goals and approach of Say Yes or have questions about scholarships? We invite you to subscribe to our mailing list, set an appointment, or reach out to and learn more about how you can get involved.

Ahmeed Turner, Executive Director

Dana Lyons-Canty, Officer, Scholarship and Student Support

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