The First Star UCLA Bruin Guardian Scholars Academy is an innovative program that
empowers high school foster youth to overcome abysmal foster youth education
outcomes. Nationally, only 50% of foster
youth graduate high school, and less than 3% earn a college degree. There are currently 7 Academies operating on
university campuses throughout the United States. Through the Foster Youth
Academy, cohorts of 30 rising 9th grade foster youth live on the university’s
campus each summer throughout high school for 4-6 weeks during which they do
high school credit recovery, participate in life skills training, and earn
college credit. They return to campus
1-2 days each month for additional program. The UCLA BGSA shows foster youth that they belong on a college campus, and helps them get there.