Spark

Spark apprenticeships bring middle grades students from disadvantaged backgrounds out of the classroom and into the workplace for individualized mentoring that results in educational success and powerful career ambitions. Created by educators and entrepreneurs, Spark is the only mentoring program in the US working to raise high school graduation rates through tailored workplace apprenticeships that inspire seventh and eighth grade students to engage in their education and stay on track for success in high school and beyond.

Each student in the program identifies his or her "dream job," and is then paired with a volunteer professional in that field. Students receive one-on-one mentorship, gain hands-on experience in their desired careers, and participate in leadership classes that help them tie their experiences outside the classroom with the lessons they learn in school.

Spark was founded in 2005. It is largely funded by charitable foundations, but also receives support from corporations and individuals.

Spark's mission is to provide life-changing apprenticeships to youth in underserved communities across the United States.

Spark found that 98.2% of students who participated in the first year of the program graduated high school on time, compared to 50-60% of their peers in a similar demographic. In addition, surveys of Spark students have shown that 95% of mentees feel that participating in the program improved their self-confidence, motivation, goal-setting, teamwork, financial literacy, public speaking, and networking/resourcefulness. Furthermore, 97% of students reported greater interest in learning after participating in Spark, and 77% of Spark mentees found that they were more interested in school. Spark has served more than 2,000 students nationwide and more than 90% of all Spark students enter high school on track.