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Breakthrough students all aspire to go to college and are willing to push themselves to excel academically.
Do you love to learn?
Do you want to go to college?
Do you want to meet other hardworking students?
Are you a fourth or fifth grader?
If so, Breakthrough San Francisco might be for you!
Please read on to learn more.
We are no longer accepting applicants for summer 2026.
If you’ve already applied, please keep an eye out for interview notifications, which will be emailed on Mon, Mar 23.
To be notified when the summer 2027 application launches this fall, please complete this form.
About Us
Breakthrough San Francisco is a tuition-free, year-round academic enrichment program for motivated San Francisco students with limited educational opportunities. We offer an exciting curriculum and small classes taught by trained college students. Students apply during the fall or winter of fourth or fifth grade. Accepted students make an eight-year commitment with the goal of attending and succeeding at an affordable, best-fit four-year college. All programming is tuition-free for Breakthrough families, and takes place at SF Day School (350 Masonic Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94118).
Qualifications
Breakthrough students have a demonstrated need for this tuition-free program. Students selected for Breakthrough meet at least three out of these five criteria:
- Qualify for free or reduced-price lunch at school.
- Will be the first in their family to attend a four-year college.
- Speak a language other than English at home.
- Live in a single-parent household.
- Attend an under-resourced school (SFUSD, charter, and most faith-based schools.)
Commitment
Accepted students make an eight-year commitment. Students are required to attend our summer program, school year program, and high school program.
Summer Commitment
(through end of middle school)
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Students are required to attend for six weeks during the summers before 5th – 8th grades.
- We expect students to come to Breakthrough every day excited to learn, question, debate, write, experiment, and challenge themselves.
- Daily attendance from Monday – Friday, 8:15 am – 3:20 pm, is mandatory.
- Optional after-school program from Monday – Friday, 3:20 – 4:30 pm.
- Each night, students will have approximately one hour of homework, preparing them for college-preparatory classes in middle and high school.
School Year Commitment
(through end of middle school)
- Students are required to attend Breakthrough’s Saturday program once per month (Sept – Dec and Feb – Apr, from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm).
- Students build their math and literacy skills, attend workshops that equip them for school success, and participate in community building and engaging elective classes.
High School Commitment
- Students are required to attend Breakthrough throughout their 9 – 12th grade years.
- Students attend monthly Saturday workshops and receive in-depth college admissions support.
- Students have summers available to pursue other opportunities. Or, they can volunteer in our summer program!
2026 Mandatory Program Dates (for accepted students):
- Pre-Summer Orientation: Sat, June 13, 2026 from 10 am – 12 pm. All accepted students must attend along with a parent or guardian.
- Summer Program: Mon, June 22 – Fri, July 31, 2026 from 8:15 am – 3:20 pm. Daily attendance is required.
- End of Summer Celebration: Thu, July 30, 2026 from 6 – 8 pm. Attendance is required for all students and families.
- 2026-27 School Year Program: All students are expected to attend one Saturday per month from Oct – Dec and Feb – Apr from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm (dates to be announced).
- Future Summer and School Year Programs: Dates are TBD, but attendance is mandatory at both the summer and school-year program until graduation from middle school. Then students move into our High School Program, with workshops one Saturday per month.