Flagship Education Program
Helping Students in Foster Care Succeed in School and Beyond
Every child in foster care is a student with a future.
Nationwide, only 60 percent of youth in foster care graduate from high school. Many leave school without the preparation needed for work or further education.
UGrad Academy gives students the consistent educational support they need to stay in school, stay on track, and keep moving forward.
With outcomes independently studied by Cornell University.
The Framework Behind UGrad Academy
UGrad Academy is powered by Kind to Kids Foundation’s Education Stability Model™ — a structured, individualized approach built around one simple idea: students need people who care enough to keep showing up, and who have the expertise to know what to do when they get there.
Every student is different. We look closely at what’s happening, provide the resources they need, remove barriers standing in the way, and follow through.
1. Consistent Relationship
Someone Who Stays
Every student is paired with a dedicated UGrad Education Specialist who gets to know them and stays involved as schools, placements, and circumstances change.
2. Educational Monitoring
Someone Who Notices
We stay connected to school and regularly review grades, attendance, and progress so concerns do not go unseen.
3. Early Response
Help Early
When something changes, we find out why and respond before a small problem becomes a major setback.
4. Barrier Resolution
Barriers Get Addressed
From tutoring and transportation to school advocacy and special education support, we help connect students to what they need.
5. Follow-Through
We Follow Through
We stay with an issue until it is resolved, appropriately addressed, or no longer standing in a student’s way.
Five elements. One consistent approach. Every student, every school year.
Proven Results, Backed by Cornell University
An independent Cornell University study analyzed five years of UGrad Academy data and found that UGrad students were more likely to attend school, advance to the next grade, and graduate from high school than similar students who were not in the program.
UGrad High School Graduation Rate
Students stay on track through high school and reach the milestone that opens the door to what comes next.
UGrad Grade Promotion Each Year
Nearly every UGrad student advances to the next grade each year, keeping academic progress moving forward.
UGrad Grade Increase by Subject
Average point increase on a 0–100 scale compared to similar students not in UGrad.
Across core subjects, UGrad students made stronger gains than similar students not in the program.
UGrad Mean Number of Days Absent
per School Year
Being in school matters. UGrad students missed substantially fewer school days than similar students outside the program.
Independent research validation
A Closer Look at the Cornell Research
A year-long study by Cornell researchers analyzed five years of UGrad Academy data and compared it to Delaware Department of Education data for foster youth who were not enrolled in UGrad during the same time period. Researchers found that students in UGrad are more likely to:
- • Advance to the next grade
- • Stay in school with improved attendance
- • Graduate from high school
- • Make significant gains across subject areas
The study was published in the peer-reviewed journal Children and Youth Services Review, adding external, peer-reviewed evidence to UGrad Academy’s educational outcomes.
Research completed by Cornell University’s Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research and published in Children and Youth Services Review.
Schools change. Placements change. We stay.
Through school changes, placement changes, setbacks, and milestones, UGrad students have someone who knows them, knows their education, and keeps showing up.
Give Hope TodayRefer a Student
Teachers, foster parents, caregivers, and DFS workers can refer a youth in foster care to UGrad Academy.
After submitting, you will receive a confirmation email and our team will begin the intake coordination process.