The Purpose
The Challenge
Students face unmet needs that impact learning:
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Academic gaps
Social-emotional stress
Lack of exposure to career pathways
Limited adult advocacy
Our Response
We provide targeted support system
We meet students holistically
We address readiness before expectations
We build trust before rigor
The Problem
Major Findings on High School Post-Graduation Readiness
1. Most Graduates Feel Unprepared for Life After High School
A 2025 national report found that nearly 72% of high school graduates feel only moderately, slightly, or not at all prepared for life after high school — including work, college, or other opportunities.
This includes:
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Only ~35% of the class of 2024 are enrolling in a four-year college — a sharp decline from previous years.
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Many students lack clear plans or understanding of career options.
2. Teachers Report Students Lack College & Workforce Readiness
According to a 2025 survey of nearly 2,000 educators:
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Only 10% of high school teachers said their students were “very prepared” to enter the workforce.
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Only 21% felt students were very ready for college success.
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35% said graduates entering work were “not prepared at all.”
3. Students Report Gap in Career Exposure and Experience
Surveys show that many students lack real-world experiences that build readiness:
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Fewer than 30% of students feel “very prepared” for postsecondary paths of ANY kind (college, work, career training).
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Around half have never held a job or internship by graduation.
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More than a third have not visited a college campus or explored options.
This suggests significant gaps in work-based learning and exposure to career pathways in current high school experiences.
4. Lack of Planning and Guidance is Common
National surveys show:
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Many students graduate with no clear next step or career plan.
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Students express a desire for better career counseling access and personalized guidance to connect interests with real-world options.
5. Employers Also Report Graduates Are Underprepared
Surveys from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and College Board show:
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84% of hiring managers believe most high school graduates are not ready to enter today’s workforce.
This indicates that employers see a skills and readiness gap among recent grads — even at the entry-level.
6. Unemployment and Economic Reality for Non-College Graduates
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows higher unemployment for those with only a high school diploma (4.5%) compared with people with associate degrees (3.5%) or bachelor’s degrees (2.3%).
This highlights the stakes for ensuring students graduate with career plans, skills, and confidence, whether or not they pursue college.
Implications for the Prosperity Project Program
Taken together, these research findings clearly show:
High school diplomas alone are no guarantee of readiness for work, higher education, or independent adult life.
Many students graduate without a clear plan or necessary experiences.
Schools often lack adequate career guidance and real-world preparedness opportunities.
Employers see a gap in workforce readiness that can’t be solved by academics alone.
These points support the need for a program like Prosperity Project that helps students:
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build individualized post-high-school plans,
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gain career awareness and real-world experience,
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develop soft and technical skills,
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and transition successfully to employment, training, or higher education.
The Prosperity Pathway
Who We Serve
Students
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Middle & high school youth
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Especially those needing additional support
Families
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Parents & guardians as partners
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Intake-driven support connections
Schools & Communities
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Schools seeking structured readiness programs
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Community organizations & agencies
