Breakthrough Twin Cities

Breakthrough Twin Cities (BTC) supports students on their journey to college by fostering a community of mutual learning with the next generation of educators so they both can collaborate, grow, and thrive.

What We Do:

Breakthrough Twin Cities (BTC) provides a community where students can dream big and aspiring teachers become the positive educators that are needed in classrooms.

Starting from 6th grade, our students undergo a tuition-free, six-year program that guides them on their path to college. Students begin this program with a 5.5 week summer program of academic enrichment and fun taught by aspiring educators (Teaching Fellows), many of whom are leading classrooms for the first time.

Together, our students and Teaching Fellows create a special community over the summers where they uplift each other to reach their fullest potential while encouraging vulnerability and embracing their unique identities.

 

“Students are more willing to be vulnerable when they feel cared for. Breakthrough taught me to think about the student as a whole person, not just whether they’re meeting a benchmark or not.”  - Ger Yang, Teaching Fellow Alum, 2018-2020 & 2026

 

Our Community at a Glance: 98% of our students identify as a race under-represented in college 78% of our students are first-generation college students 65% speak a language other than English at home 70% of our Teaching Fellows identified as people of color (vs 6.24% of teachers of color in Minnesota) 61% of our Teaching Fellow alumni have careers in education (data is from our 2024-2025 academic year) Why our Program Works: The average student has 86% of costs covered by Scholarships and Grants  100% of those who applied were accepted to post-secondary institutions (vs 69% of statewide Minnesota graduates) $35,781 was the average scholarship awarded to BTC graduates from the class of 2024

Why We Need YOU:

When young students have people who believe in them, they are able to reach beyond what they believed was possible. At Breakthrough, students are given opportunities to become leaders. Maika and Amira, are both BTC students that show what young students can achieve when they have a community behind them. Maika and Amira both went from being students to Teaching Fellows, giving back to the program that first believed in them.

 

"Breakthrough wasn't just a program. It was the people who stayed after to help you when you were struggling. The laughs in between classes. The moments where someone believed in you before you believed in yourself."  - Maika, BTC Class of 2026

 

“Breakthrough is a really special place to me. I’ve known people here for years, I have my college counselor on speed dial and I’ve watched students, Teaching Fellows, and staff grow. I feel welcomed and known here. It’s a space where I feel like I can show up differently than I do in other places.”  - Amira, BTC Class of 2027

This year, all funds that we raise from Give to the Max Day will go towards classroom and elective supplies, field trips, and snacks provided during our Summer Program. Give before November 7 to unlock a $2,000 match to make your impact go further!