Microsoft Supports San Francisco Education Initiative Aimed at Helping Students Succeed in Competitive U.S. Job Market

Today, San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee joined Microsoft, the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), the San Francisco Education Fund and Beyond 12 to announce an education initiative that focuses on enabling students through technology to enhance their learning and succeed in the competitive U.S. job market. Research shows that 61 percent of the jobs in the state of California require a college credential but only 27 percent of SFUSD ninth graders are on track to earn one.

Left to right: Microsoft's West Region General Manager for Education, Kristin Rhodes, San Francisco Mayor, Edwin Lee and Supervisor at District 10 Malia Cohen

To aid with this initiative, Microsoft provided a $500,000 grant in software and $15,000 in cash to increase the number of students graduating high school who are eligible and prepared for college. Microsoft’s efforts target San Francisco Unified School District graduating 12th graders, who are historically underrepresented at higher education institutions. One of the key components of the initiative is the Bridge to Success Summer Program, a six-week curriculum that prepares SFUSD high school graduates who are headed to City College, with the academic and personal skills needed for this next step in life. Students will kick off the program and share personal stories of how technology has positively impacted them on their path to higher education.

As stated by San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee, “We are truly grateful to Microsoft for their generous donation in support of our summer program and SFUSD schools. We are here today with our next generation of innovators and leaders, but they need the tools to help them achieve those dreams. Together with the Bridge to Success Summer Program and the computers from Microsoft we hope to give them the skills they need to succeed.”

To learn more about Microsoft’s other community initiatives, please visit:https://www.microsoft.com/about/corporatecitizenship/en-us.