CollegeTracks New Strategic Plan: Building Equity and Removing Barriers

The Pathway Forward: 10-School Strategic Plan - FY2023-2027+

CollegeTracks' 10-School Strategic Plan will serve as the roadmap by which CollegeTracks leadership charts the path to greater County impact – building educational and economic equity and removing barriers to career opportunities. The Plan will inform resource decisions and management trade-offs over the next 5+ years, making the case as to why CollegeTracks should scale its operation, yielding a powerful return on investment County-wide impact.

WHY?: Everyone deserves equitable educational and economic opportunity. Yet because of systemic barriers, not every public high school student in Montgomery County has equitable access to that opportunity. At the same time, seventy percent of jobs in Maryland currently require a postsecondary degree or credential. This opportunity gap – which disproportionately impacts first-generation-to college scholars, and scholars from low-income and immigrant households – is both morally wrong and endangers the economic future of our County. Expansion of our program into five more schools, and an enhanced program model, can transform the trajectory of the students and families facing the greatest systemic barriers, and will lift up the economic base of Montgomery County for the long term.

THE PLAN: The Plan consists of the following three Strategic Pillars and seven supporting Priorities.

Strategic Pillar #1 - Program Growth and Enhancement
- Priority 1.1 - Expand Access program to five additional MCPS high schools by 2028.
- Priority 1.2 - Explore and pilot initiatives to work with high school scholars earlier than mid-year junior year.
- Priority 1.3 - Enhance effective career-related scholar support that connects academic choices more fully with career choices and improves access to career exploration and jobs/internships.
Strategic Pillar #2 - Organizational Capacity Growth
- Priority 2.1 - Increase operational resources and infrastructure to support sustained, high-quality program work while doubling impact and reach.
- Priority 2.2 - Enhance talent management and retention capabilities.
Strategic Pillar #3 - Stakeholder Development and Funding
- Priority 3.1 - Secure Cornerstone Revenue Streams.
- Priority 3.2 - Enhance Our Development Function.

A Proven Model & A Legacy of Impact

CollegeTracks was founded in 2003 on the belief that EVERY student who graduates from MCPS deserves the opportunity and support all students need to reach postsecondary education. We also believed that working with the school system we could build a future in which that was a reality.

Now, 20 years later, CollegeTracks is poised to live up to that promise. We have proven our model, built a strong partnership with MCPS, added ongoing support for postsecondary scholars, deepened our career advising, and successfully replicated our program into five high schools. In our 20 years of service:

CollegeTracks' program is proven. We can bridge educational access and economic opportunity gaps, and shape the future of Montgomery County.

CollegeTracks has served over 8,500 MCPS Scholars.
74% of our scholars have been first-generation-to-college in the U.S.
99% earned acceptance to postsecondary education.
95%+ submitted the FAFSA or MSFAA.
80%+ enrolled in postsecondary education within a year of high school graduation.
CollegeTracks postsecondary students are 2-4x more likely to complete their degree.