YMCA Power Scholars Academy™

Statistics show that a large number of children from low-income environments reach kindergarten unprepared and that they continue to fall behind in school without proper interventions. This achievement and opportunity gap culminates in low high school graduation and college attainment rates, limited job prospects, and a negative economic impact for millions of youth as they enter adulthood.

The Y, a longtime leader in youth development, is working to improve the educational readiness, engagement and outcomes for the country’s children, in partnership with BellXcel and Syracuse City Parks and Recreation Department. The Power Scholars Academy^TM programs, built on BellXcel's evidence-based model, serve more than 4,600 kids who attend high-poverty schools nationwide.