Equity Starts with Axis

Income inequality

Central LA East LA South LA San Gabriel Valley West LA San Fernando Valley South Bay County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit) Gateway Cities Long Beach Antelope Valley

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

LA has one of the highest rates of income inequality in the nation, and educational inequity is at its core. Many students of color from low-income backgrounds attend under-resourced public schools, leaving them underprepared for college, only 23% of LAUSD high school graduates meet college eligibility requirements (EdTrust–West, 2022).
Each year, more families of color apply to Axis, seeking a better path. Yet many believe private schools are too expensive, unwelcoming, or not “meant for them.” These concerns are magnified in today’s political climate, where DEI is under attack, making it harder for students of color to access opportunity.
Research shows that high-quality schooling greatly improves economic outcomes for low-income students (Chetty et al., 2014). We believe access to top-tier private schools is one of the most effective ways to close income gaps. If we fail to act, we risk losing another generation of brilliant children, held back not by ability, but by access.

Axis’ Student Placement Program is an equity-driven initiative that disrupts cycles of income inequality by expanding access to top independent schools for students of color in LA. We offer comprehensive, free support, starting 18 months before enrollment and continuing through graduation.
We begin with info sessions, and selected families participate in Kindergarten skills assessment, orientation, a Partner School fair, and summer workshops. In the fall, they apply to up to five schools using our no-cost common application. To prepare, we host Interview Exposure Day with over 50 volunteers, a Financial Aid Workshop that helps families confidently share their financial stories using a custom-built tool, and standardized testing preparation classes.
Our support doesn’t stop at admissions. Axis stays by each family’s side through four core pillars: Community, Resources, Check-ins, and Advocacy. We build community through events like the Cohort Cookout, connect families to free or low-cost services via our resource newsletter, and check in consistently to offer personalized guidance. Our strong relationships with 35 Partner Schools in LA enable us to advocate for students.
In 2025, we’ll expand our support through a peer tutoring program that pairs Axis students with high school mentors from Partner Schools, boosting academic success, confidence, and belonging through relatable, student-to-student support.
We believe education lays the groundwork for long-term opportunity.

Axis is committed to transforming LA by making high-quality, life-changing education accessible to all, especially Black and Brown students historically excluded from independent school spaces. This grant will help expand our Student Placement Program, directly addressing income inequality by creating real pathways to educational and economic opportunity.
From October 2025 to October 2026, we aim to increase student placements in top LA schools and expand wraparound supports to ensure long-term success. With this funding, we will launch a peer tutoring initiative matching younger Axis students with mentors from Partner Schools, boosting achievement, confidence, and belonging.
We will also grow our resource network and strengthen check-ins and advocacy to meet evolving needs. Long term, we will scale our model across more neighborhoods and partners. We envision a future where schools reflect LA’s diversity and where Black and Brown students no longer face systemic barriers.