First Star, Inc.

First Star works to uplift communities and create change by building strong pathways for hundreds of high-school age foster youth to post-secondary education and successful adult lives. We partner with child welfare agencies, universities, and school districts to ensure foster youth have the academic, life skills, and adult supports needed to transition to higher education and adulthood successfully. We pursue our mission through innovative, university-based college-preparatory programs, providing technical assistance to stakeholders, and advocating for policy change.

           First Star Academies currently exist in California, New York, New Jersey, Utah, Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio. The First Star Academies have significantly improved the outcomes of participating youth across the United States. 98% of Academy youth graduate high school, and 88% enroll in higher education, compared with national averages of 50% and 10%, respectively.