Making informed, personalized future decisions

Uncommon Schools is bringing Backrs to all 11th- and 12th-grade students at its nine high schools this year, expanding access to personalized college and career guidance throughout its network.

The goal of this partnership is to empower students to get and stay on track for upward mobility after graduation. That means helping them consider not only the admissions rates of colleges, but what they should study, what different schools and programs will cost, the likely return on that investment, and how each option connects to the career and life they envision for themselves.

“Our partnership with Backrs aligns with our data-driven approach to helping students make informed, personalized decisions about their futures,” commented Mark Stulberg, Director of College Counseling at North Star Academy Charter School of Newark, an Uncommon Schools campus. “Backrs allows our students to evaluate long-term success and return on investment when deciding on college and post-secondary programs.”

That focus on long-term outcomes is especially important. Many institutions set goals around graduation or college matriculation rates, but flourishing in today’s job market takes more than diplomas and degrees. It takes strong academic and extracurricular profiles, real-world experience and achievement, workplace-ready skillsets, and robust networks of supporters.

Fueled by our shared belief that advising can and should do more to drive the outcomes students want after college, Backrs and Uncommon are working together to ensure graduates enter the workforce equipped with everything they need to thrive.

“We are thrilled to continue our pilot this year with Backrs to leverage cutting-edge tools in college counseling to expand opportunities for our students and families,” said Stulberg. We feel the same. It’s a privilege to work with an organization that’s as committed as we are to students’ school, work, and life aspirations.