Publications

City Connects Makes a Difference

All children deserve a chance to learn, but many face obstacles too steep for them to climb alone. City Connects builds a network of support for students, their families, and the schools that serve them, improving outcomes now — and for years to come.

Learn more about our approach

Proven Results

School Readiness

City Connects students demonstrate higher school readiness scores than students in comparison schools.

Report Card Grades

City Connects students achieve better report card scores in math, reading, behavior, work habits, and effort.

Standardized Test Scores

City Connects students outperform their peers on standardized test scores.

Statewide tests

Former City Connects students narrow up to 2/3rds of the achievement gap.

Grade Retention

Former City Connects students have lower rates of being held back in grade through grade 12.

School Attendance

Former City Connects students are significantly less likely to be chronically absent.

Post-Secondary Admission

Former City Connects students are more likely to enroll in and complete post-secondary education.

Statewide Tests

Former City Connects students achieve Advanced or Proficient scores on grade 10 statewide tests in both English Language Arts and Math at a much higher rate.

Dropout Rate

Former City Connects students have a dropout rate that is approximately half that of students who never experienced City Connects.

Results & Impact

402,000

total services and enrichments delivered in 2024-25 school year

97%

students receiving individualized support plans across all City Connects schools

9.8

average number of service and enrichment opportunities per student

1,200

community partners working with City Connects families and schools

View More Results

Our 2026 Progress Report is here

City Connects has officially launched its highly anticipated biennial report for this year: The 2026 Progress Report!

This report is full of impact, research, and testimony, showcasing how City Connects continues to offer positive outcomes for students, schools, and communities. Featuring new case studies, new studies, and new findings, this year’s report demonstrates how integrated student support continues to make a difference in the lives of students.

Read our latest Progress Report here

Our Premise is Simple

When you’re hungry, you can’t learn. When you’re homeless, you can’t do homework. When you’re worried, or sad, or angry — when mom is sick, or dad imprisoned — you can’t concentrate. Out-of-school challenges diminish a child’s ability to learn and thrive, especially in high-poverty urban school districts. City Connects provides a clear, organized, and evidence-based strategy for schools to address these challenges — offering a hub of support that matches existing services to each student.

Learn More About Our Approach

Coordinators are part of the community

Our Coordinators work with community partners, teachers, school administrators, and families to create support plans tailored to each student’s strengths and needs.

Through this continuous and comprehensive process, they ensure every student gets the right supports at the right time, over time.

See where City Connects is located