Creating Opportunities: BMO’s Support to Thrive Scholars and its Impact on Education

Transforming Dreams into Reality: The Role of BMO Thrive Academy in Student Success

A significant number of qualified low-income students of color, approximately half of the 25,000 nationwide, miss out on opportunities at top colleges or obtaining college degrees. To address this challenge and advance an inclusive society, BMO has made a noteworthy donation to launch the BMO Thrive Academy – Los Angeles. This initiative is designed to prepare underrepresented students of color for success in both college and their future careers. The program is considered a crucial step in bridging the opportunity gap and providing these students with the necessary support and resources to achieve their academic and professional goals.
 

The Academy in Los Angeles offers an intensive academic experience for high school students. It begins with Summer Academy, a rigorous two-summer program for 11th and 12th graders. During this period, students participate in daily three-hour calculus and college writing classes, taught by college professors on a university campus, for six weeks each summer. Upon transitioning to college, participants benefit from Thrive Scholars’ career development services, which include valuable internships and job opportunities. The support extends to advancing Thrive Scholars’ Diverse Talent Initiative, which focuses on recruiting and nurturing students from under-resourced schools to ensure their academic success at leading colleges. Additionally, the organization will collaborate with Thrive Scholars on its Career Pathways curriculum, developing customized programs, company-specific training, and specialized skill-building exercises for students.
 

For the past two decades, Thrive Scholars has been a prominent national college-to-career accelerator dedicated to empowering high-achieving, diverse individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Currently, the program supports around 1,000 students and has an alumni network of over 1,500 Scholars, with 85% identifying as first-generation college students. Evelyn Jimenez, a participant in the academy, expressed her desire for free higher education and highlighted the program’s additional benefits, such as financial stipends and free transportation. She aspires to become an astrophysicist and is inspired by the well-developed and well-funded education she has received at BMO Thrive Academy and aims to bring similar opportunities back to her community.
 

As a first-generation college student from an underserved background, Evelyn values the academy’s college preparation and career opportunities. Her top choice for further education is USC, where she hopes to advance her family’s business, which her grandfather started with only a third-grade education. Evelyn believes that programs like those offered by USC will help her achieve her aspirations.

Editor’s Note:

The BMO Thrive Academy is critical in changing the lives of low-income kids of color who would otherwise miss out on excellent college prospects. By providing rigorous academic preparation, including calculus and college writing classes taught by university professors, as well as vital job development assistance, financial stipends, and free transportation, the academy addresses systemic hurdles and prepares students for success. This comprehensive support not only improves their academic preparation but also provides access to significant employment prospects, bridging the opportunity gap and inspiring students to reach their full potential.

Skoobuzz appreciates the efforts of BMO Thrive Academy to empower students and provide them with equal opportunities to excel in their careers.