.png)
Supporting Students From High School to College Graduation
Beginning in junior year of high school, the College Success division at Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation
helps students in Cypress Hills, East New York, and surrounding Brooklyn communities navigate the path from high school to college, career opportunities, and long-term success.
Our team of counselors, peer leaders, and college persistence staff, works alongside students during some of the most important years of their academic journey, helping them explore colleges and careers, complete applications, understand financial aid, build confidence, and stay supported through college graduation and beyond.
A Real Pathway toCollege + Career Success
The College Success division provides students with the tools, resources, and personalized support needed to successfully transition from high school into higher education and future careers. Beginning in junior year, students work closely with counselors, peer leaders, and persistence staff who guide them through every stage of the process, from exploring colleges and career pathways, building college lists, and completing applications to navigating financial aid, enrolling in school, and staying supported through graduation. Whether students pursue a SUNY school, CUNY campus, private college, certificate program, or another postsecondary pathway, our team helps them build a plan for long-term success.
PROGRAMS HELP STUDENTS:
Explore college and career pathways
Receive one-on-one college counseling
Complete college and financial aid applications
Attend college fairs and campus visits
Build leadership and workplace skills
Access academic and emotional support
OUR IMPACT:
Helping Brooklyn Students Build Their Future
The College Success division supports hundreds of students and families each year across Brooklyn through school-based college access services, persistence counseling, workshops, peer leadership programs, and campus partnerships.
STUDENT SUCCESS CENTERS
College Access Support Starting in Junior Year
Each Student Success Center serves as a centralized postsecondary office on campus, providing early college awareness, college access counseling, financial aid advisement, career exploration, and peer-to-peer support. Beginning in junior year, students work directly with dedicated counselors who help them understand their options and take the next steps toward life after high school.
A key part of each Student Success Center is the Youth Leaders Program, where current high school students are trained to serve as peer counselors and educators around college access. Youth Leaders help make the college process more approachable by supporting classmates and younger students as they explore their futures.
“Being a Youth Leader made the college process feel less overwhelming and helped me feel more confident about my future. The SSC also helps students understand that there are many pathways after high school — not just college, but employment, trade school, military service, and more.”
Camila, Cypress Hills Collegiate Preparatory High School
College Success Programs operates two Student Success Centers:
One:Franklin K. Lane
The Franklin K. Lane Student Success Center supports students at:
-
Academy of Innovative Technology
-
Brooklyn Lab High School
-
Cypress Hills Collegiate Preparatory High School
-
Multicultural High School
-
Urban Assembly High School for Collaborative Health Care
TWO:Thomas Jefferson
The Thomas Jefferson Student Success Center supports students at:
-
FDNY Captain Vernon A. Richard High School for Fire and Life Safety
-
Performing Arts and Technology High School (PATHS)
-
World Academy for Total Community Health (WATCH)
Both Centers provide:
-
One-on-one college access support from a dedicated counselor
-
College research and list building
-
College application completion
-
Personal statement writing support
-
Financial aid application completion, including FAFSA and TAP
-
Opportunity program enrollment support, including ASAP, CD, SEEK, EOP, and HEOP
-
Peer-to-peer college access support from trained Youth Leaders
-
Ongoing early awareness and college knowledge workshops
-
Local and overnight college trips
-
School-wide events including parent nights, alumni panels, college representative visits, and College Decision Day
YOUTH LEADERS
Students Supporting Students
Youth Leaders play an important role in the Student Success Center. They receive training and hands-on experience to become peer mentors, helping other students with college and career planning. While supporting their peers, Youth Leaders also develop valuable skills like public speaking, communication, time management, mentorship, and workplace readiness. This program helps students become advocates, role models, and leaders in their school communities.
For more than 16 years, Youth Leaders have helped shape the college-going culture and remain one of the most impactful components of the Student Success Center experience.
“My youth leadership role helped me build communication skills, respectful manners, leadership, and confidence. I like being a bridge between students and counselors and helping my fellow classmates navigate their futures.”
Jerrell, FDNY Senior
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
Strengthening Students, Families, and Communities
Franklin K. Lane
A Community School is both a place and a partnership, connecting schools, families, and community resources to support the academic, social, and emotional well-being of students.
At the Franklin K. Lane Campus, Cypress Hills supports three Community Schools:
-
Brooklyn Lab School
-
Cypress Hills Collegiate Preparatory High School
-
Multicultural High School
Through integrated services, partnerships, and enrichment opportunities, Community Schools help strengthen families, improve student outcomes, and create healthier communities.
COLLEGE STEPS & PERSISTENCE
Supporting Students Beyond Acceptance Letters
The College STEPS office is at the Cypress Hills East New York Community Center. It helps students access and stay in college. Our College Persistence Program provides year-round support to help students stay enrolled, overcome challenges, and graduate successfully. Students get one-on-one help from College Persistence Counselors and College Coaches. Many of these coaches are current college students who understand what it’s like to navigate higher education.
Support services include:
On-campus office hours at colleges and universities
Summer bridge programming to help transition into college life
Financial literacy and budgeting workshops
Academic assistance and transfer advisement
Resume writing and job readiness support
Guidance navigating college systems and resources
Interested in Learning More?
Whether you are a student, parent, educator, community partner, or supporter interested in learning more about our College Success Programs, we are here to help.
Connect with our team to learn more about Student Success Centers, college persistence support, Youth Leadership opportunities, Community Schools, and postsecondary pathways available through Cypress Hills.
_heic.png)