Our children are tomorrow’s leaders, and each deserves all the necessary tools to thrive and succeed. The National Urban League founded Project Ready in 2008 to provide youth with a spectrum of supports, services, and opportunities not always found in the classroom.

Our Approach

Project Ready is a college and career access initiative for students in grades 6-12. Our program addresses academic, social, and emotional needs while guiding students through the crucial transition from high school to college and beyond.

Our five (5) key components that bring our vision of a more equitable education system to life:

• Academic Supports

• Health & Wellness

• College & Career Readiness

• Youth Leadership & Civic Engagement

• WeLead: Youth Facilitator Development

The program is executed on the ground through the work of our affiliate network, and is based on three models:
 

• The Magnet Model: supports students at a site out of school
• The School-Based Model: supports students at school after school hours
• The Expanded Day or year Model: features additional learning and development time added to the school day

Our goal is to expose youth to the many possibilities of a higher education and provide them with the skills and pathways to get there.

See highlights from our latest Youth Leadership Summit

2024 Youth Leadership Summit

Our Impact

Since launching in 2011, Project Ready has provided over 11,000 young people across the country with academic support, life skills, and exposure to college access programs to prepare them for life after high school.

Additionally, Project Ready tracks more than 2,000 students through the National Student Clearinghouse as they transition to college. Some of our affiliates also help students navigate the challenges of that pivotal first year.  

2023 Youth Leadership Summit