DTS College Access and Preparation Program

Income inequality

West LA

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Research demonstrates family income has a significant impact on college enrollment and graduation rates. According to data from the National Center on Education Statistics (NCES), 84% of high school graduates from families in the highest income quartile enroll in college, compared to 60% of graduates from families in the lowest income quartile. More alarming, only 11% of students in the lowest quartile for income earn a bachelor's degree within six years, compared to 58% for those in the highest quartile. Building a college going culture begins with the awareness of the requirements to be college admissible as well as identifying sources of federal funding for students who qualify. High school seniors who complete the FAFSA are 84% more likely to immediately enroll in postsecondary education. For students in the lowest socioeconomic quintile, FAFSA completion is associated with a 127% increase in immediate college enrollment. (National College Attainment Network, January 24, 2022)

DTS began our partnership with Hamilton High School in 2012 because it is a Title I school serving students from 100+ zip codes. Approximately 67% of the 2,400 students are economically disadvantaged. Classroom workshops will be conducted for all students by grade level to provide scaffolded information to prepare students for college admission. Ninth graders learn how to design their high school experience to ensure a strong college application & the difference between LAUSD graduation requirements and college admission requirements. Tenth graders receive guidance on the different types of college choices available & the importance of being involved in an activity they enjoy. Students in eleventh grade learn the steps in the college application process & begin composing their personal statements. Twelfth grade students receive 2 instructional workshops per classroom focused on completing and submitting the FAFSA or CADAA. In conjunction with the Hamilton Administration, DTS will work with all 600 seniors to complete the FAFSA/CADAA. One-on-one support will be provided for all students from the opening of the FAFSA/CADAA on Oct. 1, 2025 until it closes in June 2026. DTS will have at least one college counselor on-site throughout the day to provide one-on-one support for college application questions as well as ad-hoc college counseling to all grade levels. DTS staff will to lead students through the completion of the common application, UC application & CAL State application.

If our work is successful, more Hamilton High school students will matriculate to post secondary education every year, which has a dramatic impact on the city of Los Angeles and the quality of life of its residents. College educated Angelenos earn more, spend more, generate higher tax revenue and generally have better long term health and life expectancy with fewer incidences of depression and substance abuse. At a micro level, the family uplift and generational impact are immeasurable. A college graduate earning a higher income often improves living conditions for their entire family. Their children, siblings, or extended family may have greater educational aspirations, better healthcare access, and more financial stability as a result. The transformative impact on the lifetime earnings and social mobility of a college graduate offers a high return on investment for low-income students. A well-educated population builds a healthier, more prosperous, and more stable Los Angeles.