PCYC

Exploration Changes Everything: Help Northside Students Discover What's Possible

College and career partners open doors. Help us provide the access!

Opening Pathways, Expanding Horizons

At PYC Arts & Technology High School, we believe that when young people see new possibilities, they begin to believe in their own potential.

When students experience new environments, meet mentors who look like them, and imagine themselves in higher education or meaningful careers, it changes how they see their future.

For many of our young people, visiting either a local or out-of-state school is more than a field trip. It's a series of memorable and impactful firsts:

• Their first time visiting a college campus.
• Their first time talking with a professional in their field of interest.
• Their first time flying on a plane or leaving Minnesota.
• Their first time imagining themselves thriving in higher education or a career they love.

We’re committed to making those moments possible. This Give to the Max Day, you can help give every student the chance to explore what’s next: whether that’s a four-year college, a skilled trade, or another postsecondary pathway.

Through college visits, career fairs, mentorships, externships, and our annual Black Excellence in Higher Education Program + HBCU Tour (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), we help students explore and envision what comes after graduation.

The Need

Our students come to PYC Arts & Technology High School, a contract alternative school in North Minneapolis, facing barriers that make college and career exploration difficult. Many are significantly behind in credits. Others are the first in their families to consider higher education. Most have had few opportunities to visit campuses or meet employers.

We believe every young person deserves the chance to explore what’s possible. That’s why we remove financial and logistical barriers so students can participate in these transformative experiences at no cost to them.

The Impact

Each year, PYC enrolls about 150 high school students, not including those who participate in the free, open-to-all Capri Best Buy Teen Tech Center. Nearly 100% of our students engage in at least one college or career exploration opportunity each year through school visits, on-campus presentations, or career readiness events. An average of 10 students join each local college tour or visit.

Recent experiences for our scholars include:

• Local college visits to Minneapolis College, Dunwoody College of Technology, Hennepin Tech, and the University of Minnesota

• Career fairs and externships including Hennepin GO Public Health Exploration and the Follow Your Dreams Fair

• In fall 2024 and 2025, students toured more then a dozen HBCU's across Texas, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, and more!

The Goal

We want every PYC student to have access to these kinds of opportunities. Whether that’s visiting a local campus, connecting with an employer, or flying across the country to explore HBCU's.

This Give to the Max Day, our goal is to raise $20,000 to fund travel, lodging, meals, and program costs for college visits, career exploration events, and the next HBCU Tour in 2026.

Together, we can keep exploration at the heart of education.

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What your gift can provide: 

Explorer ($30): Meals for one student during a local college or career visit.

Pathfinder ($60): Stipend for one student to shop at HBCU bookstores.

Trailblazer ($120): Business casual attire for one student.

Dream Builder ($450): Transportation for one local college or university trip.

Visionary ($1,200): Full sponsorship for one student's HBCU Tour experience.

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This year, we invite you to help us meet our Give to the Max goal of $20,000 - enough for one year of college and career exploration activities.

Give today and help our students discover what's possible!

Thank you!

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PCYC: Proudly serving North Minneapolis for 71 years.

Our mission:  Rooted in North Minneapolis, PCYC ignites a spirit of inspiration, connection, and growth.

PCYC manages three dynamic programs: PYC Arts & Technology High School, PCYC Afterschool Enrichment, and the Capri.