Graduate Great

Ready to Graduate, Ready for Life

Although students from families with limited economic resources are less likely to attend and graduate from college than those from higher-resourced high schools, college graduates earn 66% more and are far less likely to face unemployment.

About Graduate Great

Graduate Great is an educational collaboration that brings local private and charter schools together to create clear and unobstructed paths to graduation and higher education for every student, especially those from families with limited economic resources. By working collectively from preschool through high school, partner schools help students build the confidence, competence and character necessary to succeed beyond high school and in life. As graduates return to their communities with advanced skills and a service mindset, they will continue to transform our communities for good.

Current Graduate Great partners include:

• Academy Prep Center of Tampa
• Nativity Catholic School
• RCMA
• St. Joseph’s Catholic School
• Cristo Rey Tampa

2024-25 Graduate Great Highlights

Graduate Great results suggest that when local schools work together from preschool through high school, students may achieve greater academic and long-term success. Additionally, the program is expanding access to college-preparatory education for more students from income-constrained families.

• In fall 2025, 49% of all ninth graders at Cristo Rey came from partner schools, and more than half (53%) of all students represented partner schools. As we move toward our 2026 objectives (50% and 60%, respectively), the program demonstrates the power of a partnership pipeline.
• Cristo Rey students from partner schools had an average GPA of 3.13, meeting the program objective and demonstrating a slight year-over-year increase.
• While students from partner schools met some academic objectives, more work is necessary to achieve standards in reading, math, and the PSAT/SAT.
• 97% of Cristo Rey seniors from partner schools graduated in May 2025. The graduation rate for all students was 95%.
• Cristo Rey was among just 7% of eligible schools nationwide to receive Platinum recognition on the AP School Honor Roll.
• 97% of Cristo Rey seniors attended college after graduation, an increase from 91% during the previous school year.
• 100% of students from partner schools had $3,000 or less in out-of-pocket expenses per year to attend college, up from 81% the previous year.
• 72% of Cristo Rey graduates from partner schools remain in college, a number expected to continue as the school focuses on additional support for students.

While the initiative has met some of its academic objectives, more work is necessary to achieve standards in reading, math, and on the PSAT and SAT. Partners will continue to focus on these areas during the upcoming school year.