About Us
Our Story
College Bound was founded in 2006 by Lisa Orden Zarin, the daughter of a single mom and school teacher who taught and lived in Newark, New Jersey who emphasized the importance of education. The message stuck.
College Bound is Created
Many years later when Lisa’s own son was applying to college, she experienced the college admissions process through the eyes of her child who had every privilege available to him. The process was complex and many people helped. She wondered, “What are children doing today who come from neighborhoods where I grew up?”
She discovered the answer and it was sobering. Less than ten percent of students from low-income communities were completing their college degrees. When she compared that to 75 percent of high-income students who were graduating from college, the gap seemed impossible to bridge.
Lisa spent years creating an organization – College Bound – to combat this problem.
What started with two high schools and 36 students in 2006 has grown to serving over 40 high schools in the region and nearly 500 students who benefit from individualized support and coaching every year. Our students are graduating college at a rate nearly 500% higher than their demographics would predict.
It is our duty to our students and their families to continue to innovate and achieve better results.
Timeline
Mission & Vision
Mission
Through an individualized, holistic, and multi-year investment, College Bound empowers students in St. Louis facing systemic barriers to achieve transformative lives of higher education and economic possibility.
Vision
We strive for a future where every student in our region has the tools and strategies to overcome barriers, achieve their educational goals, and sustain a life with choice and economic mobility.
North Star Goals
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65%
of CB students in To & Through will complete higher education with a bachelor’s degree within six years of high school graduation.
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40%
of CB@STLCC students will complete either an associate degree or other high-quality credential or certificate within four years of starting STLCC.
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90%
Over 90% of our students each year are below this debt level (or below national average).
Diversity Statement
College Bound believes in the power of diversity as a starting point in the pursuit of racial, gender, social, and economic justice. We strive to create a culture where every individual is valued. We seek accountability and action from all individuals to serve with an open mind and from a place of compassion, love, and humility.
As an organization and as a community, College Bound commits to active listening and collaboration between students, families, alumni, and staff to grow in understanding of how diversity and equity shape our work.
Core Values
Foundation of Trust
We strive relentlessly to be trustworthy to our colleagues, partners, families and students. At trust’s root is teamwork, reliability and integrity.
Focus on Achievement
Although the path may be long and challenging, we never equivocate from fulfilling our mission: college degree attainment. We hold ourselves to clear, bold goals to ensure that we’re winning the long game.
Responsibility to Reflect
We intentionally take time to analyze our actions, behaviors, and data in the pursuit of continual improvement. We never stop learning from research, our partners, and each other.
Spirit of Gratitude
We celebrate the opportunity to work side-by-side with our students, colleagues, partners, families and donors. Each day, we find joy in our long journey.