What Does Success Look Like?

Moving the high school graduation rate from 33% to 91% is an astonishing feat. Washington DC’s SEED school is doing this and more--95% of its students are also going to college.

60 Minutes recently profiled the SEED school, the nation’s first urban, public boarding school. While the academic success and staff dedication are both remarkable, the focus on building social-emotional skills is equally impressive. Instead of TV and Facebook in the evenings, students are schooled in social skills, like self-discipline and etiquette.

The results are best exemplified by this exchange with reporter Byron Pitt, who asked two students, “What does success look like?”

"You’re always supposed to believe in yourself," Melvin said.

"What I think success is kinda what you're like. You're smart, intelligent. You're a nice reporter. You dress nice. Your shoes are pretty. And it is that knowin' that you're gonna be something in life," Frances said.

"You gonna make it?" Pitts asked.

"Yes!" she replied.

Thrive realizes that not every student who needs it can receive this level of individual attention. Currently, we’re working with three local nonprofit youth organizations and nine low/mid socioeconomic status public and private high schools.

We remain committed to making our programs available for widespread implementation and being part of “what success looks like” for all students.  Join us at Thrive Research.