Building STEPS proudly announces that 42 Baltimore City public high school students from Building STEPS’ 2016 graduating class will attend 20 unique colleges and universities in the fall. These individuals, from underserved communities in Baltimore City, are almost entirely first-generation college students.

“We are thrilled these recent high school graduates will soon be college freshmen. Like the hundreds of Building STEPS students before them, they are prepared for their college experience and will be hugely successful,” said Greg Kelly, Building STEPS Board Chair.

More than 80% of Building STEPS graduates earn a post baccalaureate degree, far surpassing the 11% national college graduation rate for low-income, first generation college students.

Building STEPS programming exposes high school students to careers that rely on science and technology and equips them with the tools and resources critical to college access and completion. The multi-year programming includes junior seminars, a summer internship, college workshops and ongoing support through college.

Building STEPS is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit built on one simple principle; a college education changes a person’s life. Focused on science and technology, the multi-year program, supplementing students’ classroom learning, clears a path for high-achieving, underrepresented high school students to reach their academic and professional potential.