Summer Search

Summer Search is a leadership development program, founded in San Francisco in 1990, aimed at providing ongoing and long-term support for low-income high school students.

Summer Search selects disadvantaged high school students who demonstrate potential for reflection, altruism and performance and helps them realize their leadership potential.

Selected students, ranging from those in their sophomore year to those about to graduate, participate in programs that include four elements. The first elements is participation in weekly mentoring sessions. Mentors give students tools to enable them to be insightful about their own behavior and accountable for their actions. The second element is the summer experiential education program. Participants receive a full scholarship to participate in two summer trips designed to broaden their perspective on the world and open their eyes to new possibilites. The program provides advisory services to help with college applications as well as financial aid counseling. The alumni services portion of the program is designed to help program graduates continue their success after program completion through networking events and professional development services like career workshops, internships, and by providing professional mentors.

The mission of Summer Search is to find resilient low-income high school students and inspire them to become responsible and altruistic leaders by providing year-round mentoring, life-changing summer experiences, college advising, and a lasting support network.

Summer Search operates seven offices nationwide helping more than 700 high school students annually; 99% of Summer Search students graduate high school and 92% of them begin a 4-year college or university program.

89% of those enrolled graduate college or stay on track to do so.