Diploma Plus was developed by Commonwealth Corporation in 1996 as a response to the alarmingly high dropout rate and barriers to post-secondary success for underserved youth, and the inadequate supply of high quality alternatives to traditional high schools. Diploma Plus believed that traditional education was not working for our young people, and so the staff, along with community organizations and teachers asked themselves what an ideal high school experience would provide. Their answers included: high expectations, connections to the real world and postsecondary experiences, supportive relationships with adults, and the opportunity for students to “show what they know”. In DP schools, students live that model every day.
DP was first supported by the Mott Foundation and Boston-based funders as a 100-student pilot program with two community-based organizations. In 2003, after demonstrated success, the Commonwealth Corporation was awarded a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to further develop the model and open new Diploma Plus schools in areas of need.
On July 1, 2009 Diploma Plus officially became Diploma Plus Inc. a national nonprofit organization responsible for site replication, development, policy and communication efforts for all DP networks.
For more information, please visit us at http://www.diplomaplus.net
Diploma Plus,Inc.
89 South St. Suite 803
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-443-0050
Fax: 617-443-0057
