What Partnership for Student Success does

The Partnership for Student Success (PSS) is a nonprofit coalition initiative operated by the Johns Hopkins University Everyone Graduates Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Originally launched in July 2022 as the National Partnership for Student Success (NPSS) under a public-private partnership between the U.S. Department of Education, AmeriCorps, and Johns Hopkins, PSS was rebranded to its current name in January 2025 following the conclusion of the NPSS federal initiative. PSS convenes a nationwide coalition of nonprofits, higher education institutions, school districts, employers, government agencies, and youth-serving organizations to implement evidence-based student supports, including tutoring, mentoring, student success coaching, postsecondary transition coaching, and wraparound/integrated supports for K-12 students.

PSS's core products are organized as interconnected network programs and resources rather than a traditional software platform. Core offerings include no-cost Technical Assistance delivered by partner organization experts, Free Online Training Modules co-developed with MENTOR, UC San Diego, and CUNY, and a Toolkits & Reports library (Tutor Apprenticeships Toolkit, Attendance Solutions Toolkit, Media & Messaging Toolkit, Federal Work-Study Toolkit, District Partnership Toolkit). Network programs include the Supporting Champions Network (250+ organizations), Higher Education Coalition (100+ colleges and universities), Attendance Solutions Network (200+ school districts across 43 states covering 11,000+ schools and 7.2 million students), Working Groups on topics such as tutoring policy, rural student support, and community-engaged learning, and the Community Collaboration Challenge grant program, which has distributed 84 micro-grants across 39 states and DC since 2023. The Voluntary Quality Standards framework, co-developed with City Year, MENTOR, Communities In Schools, NCAN, and other national organizations, serves as the connective tissue across all offerings.

PSS employs 10 people and operates on a freemium nonprofit model in which all services are provided at no cost to schools, districts, nonprofits, higher education institutions, and government agencies. Funding flows from foundation grants (notably the Leon Lowenstein Foundation for the Community Collaboration Challenge) and host-institutional support from Johns Hopkins University rather than from beneficiary fees. There are no disclosed revenue figures, equity ownership, or investor relationships. Between fall 2022 and spring 2024, an estimated 323,000 additional adults entered PSS-aligned student support roles, surpassing President Biden's 250,000 goal one year ahead of schedule, and a November 2025 survey reported 440,000 additional tutors and mentors supporting students nationwide.

Name

Partnership for Student Success

Legal name

Partnership for Student Success

Website

https://partnershipstudentsuccess.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Partnership for Student Success is a Johns Hopkins University-hosted nonprofit coalition connecting 250+ nonprofits, 100+ colleges, and 200+ school districts to deliver no-cost technical assistance, training, and toolkits for evidence-based K-12 tutoring, mentoring, and student support programs across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Education Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC), College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE), Student Mentoring & Peer Support Programs (EDAJALAL), Student Engagement & Belonging Initiatives (EDALABAJ), Community Engagement & Service-Learning Partnerships (EDALAOAI), Research, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Partnerships (EDADALAK)

Keywords

• Student support services
• Education coalition
• Tutoring programs
• Mentoring programs
• K-12 education

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. No-cost services to coalition members: The Partnership for Student Success provides all services at no cost to schools, districts, nonprofits, higher education institutions, and government agencies. The organization is funded through partnerships and foundations (such as the Leon Lowenstein Foundation) rather than through direct revenue from beneficiaries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Partnership for Student Success is a nationwide nonprofit coalition that provides no-cost technical assistance, free online training, toolkits, network coordination, and micro-grants to help schools, districts, nonprofits, higher education institutions, and government agencies implement evidence-based student support programs — including tutoring, mentoring, student success coaching, postsecondary transition coaching, and wraparound/integrated student supports for K-12 students.

Product overview

The Partnership for Student Success is a coalition-based organization (not a software product company) that operates as a network of interconnected programs, resources, and support services. The core offerings include: Technical Assistance providing no-cost implementation support for schools and districts; a Training Resource Library and Free Online Training Modules developed with partners like MENTOR, UC San Diego, and CUNY; Toolkits & Reports including the Tutor Apprenticeships, Attendance Solutions, and Media & Messaging toolkits; and Network Programs including the Attendance Solutions Network (200+ districts), Higher Education Coalition (100+ institutions), and Supporting Champions Network (250+ organizations). The organization also administers the Community Collaboration Challenge providing micro-grants, hosts Working Groups on specialized topics, and organizes Events & Webinars. The Voluntary Quality Standards framework underpins all offerings. Together these services enable communities to implement evidence-based tutoring, mentoring, student success coaching, postsecondary transition coaching, and wraparound/integrated student supports for K-12 students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Technical Assistance Program No-cost implementation support service for schools, districts, nonprofits, higher education institutions, and state/local government agencies working to implement, expand, or improve tutoring, mentoring, student success coaching, postsecondary transition coaching, or wraparound/integrated supports for K-12 students.
• Free Online Training Modules Free online training modules designed in partnership with MENTOR, UC San Diego Early Academic Outreach Program, and CUNY for postsecondary transition coaches, mentors, and practitioners. Topics include mentoring best practices, college fit/match, financial aid, and peer support program design.
• Training Resource Library Curated library of free and paid training options for those working with youth, including foundational training, Positive Youth Development research, and role-specific courses covering tutoring, mentoring, success coaching, postsecondary transition coaching, and wraparound support coordination.
• Toolkits & Reports Practical toolkits and reports for stakeholders implementing evidence-based student support programs, including the Tutor Apprenticeships Toolkit, Attendance Solutions Toolkit, Media & Messaging Toolkit, Federal Work-Study Toolkit, and District Partnership Toolkit.
• Attendance Solutions Network Solutions network providing districts access to engagement events, webinars, learning communities, and technical assistance to address chronic absence and improve student engagement. Since spring 2024, has engaged over 200 school districts from 43 states representing over 11,000 schools and 7.2 million students.
• Higher Education Coalition Coalition of over 100 colleges and universities working to engage college students in evidence-based P-12 student support roles through Federal Work-Study programs, community-engaged learning coursework, and career-connected learning opportunities.
• Community Collaboration Challenge Micro-grant initiative providing $5,000-$10,000 awards to communities to foster collaboration and expand evidence-based student support programs. Since 2023, communities from 39 states and DC have received 84 awards. The 2026 cohort distributed $168,000 to 20 communities from 18 states and DC.
• Supporting Champions Network Network of over 250 nonprofit organizations, philanthropy groups, state/local agencies, and state service commissions that inform and support the design, implementation, and learning of student support programs. Champions engage in working groups, collaborate on webinars, and share information about opportunities.
• Voluntary Quality Standards Voluntary quality standards developed by NPSS for schools, districts, state education agencies, youth-serving organizations, foundations, and community groups to understand essential components of quality for tutoring, mentoring, student success coaching, postsecondary transition coaching, and wraparound/integrated student support coordination.
• Events & Webinars Virtual and in-person events including the annual PSS Summit, Higher Education Summit, research-to-practice webinar series, and learning community sessions addressing chronic absenteeism, accelerated learning, and student engagement.
• Working Groups Collaborative working groups including Tutoring Policy (led by Accelerate and National Student Support Accelerator), Supporting Students in Rural Areas, Tutor Apprenticeships, Community-Engaged Learning, and Federal Work-Study for practitioners to share insights and develop solutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 323,000 additional adults served in evidence-based student support roles in schools between fall 2022 and spring 2024
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

36 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• AcceleratecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in developing Voluntary Quality Standards for tutoring, mentoring, student success coaching, postsecondary transition coaching, and wraparound supports. Also provides technical assistance expertise to PSS network.
• Camp Fire NationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on development of Voluntary Quality Standards for evidence-based student support roles.
• City YearcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey collaborator on Voluntary Quality Standards and technical assistance provision. Provides expertise in student success coaching programs.
• Communities In SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Voluntary Quality Standards development and provides technical assistance for wraparound/integrated student supports.
• Knowledge to Power CatalystscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on development of Voluntary Quality Standards for evidence-based student support programs.
• MENTORcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey collaborator on Voluntary Quality Standards and technical assistance. Co-developed free online training modules for mentoring programs.
• National College Attainment Network (NCAN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Voluntary Quality Standards and provides technical assistance for postsecondary transition coaching programs.
• National Student Support AcceleratorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on Voluntary Quality Standards and tutoring program guidance. Co-developed Tutor Apprenticeships Toolkit and provides tutor training resources.
• U.S. Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal public-private partnership founder (along with AmeriCorps and Johns Hopkins University) for National Partnership for Student Success launched July 2022.
• AmeriCorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal public-private partnership founder for NPSS. Supports national service members serving in student support roles through PSS-aligned programs.
• Johns Hopkins University Everyone Graduates CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for PSS. Conducts research on evidence-based supports and student outcomes. Led by Dr. Robert Balfanz.
• AcceleratecoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides subject matter experts for PSS technical assistance programs supporting tutoring and student support implementation.
• City YearcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides technical assistance expertise for student success coaching and evidence-based support programs.
• Communities In SchoolscoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides technical assistance expertise for wraparound/integrated student supports and community school coordination.
• National College Attainment NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides technical assistance expertise for postsecondary transition coaching and college access programs.
• National Student Support AcceleratorcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides technical assistance expertise for tutoring programs and high-impact tutoring implementation.
• MENTORcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides technical assistance expertise for mentoring programs and mentor training resources.
• Project UnicornsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnering with PSS to improve data access and utilization to increase attendance and engagement.
• 1EdTechsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnering with PSS on data standards and interoperability to support attendance and engagement improvement.
• Ed-Fi AlliancesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnering with PSS on education data standards to improve attendance tracking and student engagement.
• Common Educational Data StandardssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnering with PSS on data standards development for education to support attendance and engagement initiatives.
• MENTORcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed free online training modules for engaging and supporting college students as mentors for K-12 students.
• University of California San Diego Early Academic Outreach ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-designed Postsecondary Transition Coaching 101 training modules covering working with youth, college fit/match, and financial aid.
• City University of New York K-16 InitiativescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with PSS and PeerForward to develop training modules for high school students supporting peers with postsecondary transitions.
• Peer Power FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with CUNY and PeerForward on training for high school peer mentors in postsecondary transition support.
• PeerForwardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with CUNY and Peer Power Foundation on training programs for peer mentoring in postsecondary transitions.
• Coalition for CollegesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with CUNY and Lewis-Clark State College on Paying for College training module after FAFSA completion.
• Lewis-Clark State CollegesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with CUNY and Coalition for College on financial aid and college affordability training modules.
• Inspire SuccesssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with OneGoal and PREP KC on 'Every Student, A Plan' training for supporting uncertain seniors through postsecondary pathways.
• OneGoalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Inspire Success and PREP KC on career-centered pathways and postsecondary purpose training.
• PREP KCsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Inspire Success and OneGoal on postsecondary transition training for high school seniors.
• Arizona State University Mary Lou Fulton Teachers CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Community Educator Learning Hub with 200 nanocourses on tutoring, student success coaching, social-emotional well-being, and attendance. Scholarships available through Leon Lowenstein Foundation support.
• National Student Support AcceleratorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed Tutor Apprenticeships Toolkit with New Jersey Tutoring Corps, PSS, and Pathways Alliance to help programs align with state workforce systems.
• New Jersey Tutoring CorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed Tutor Apprenticeships Toolkit providing step-by-step guidance for developing registered apprenticeship programs for tutors.
• Pathways AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed Tutor Apprenticeships Toolkit supporting alignment with state workforce and apprenticeship pathways.
• InnovateEDUcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed Media and Messaging Toolkit 'Proven & Powerful' to help student support providers secure news coverage and showcase program impact.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Communities In Schools: National nonprofit providing integrated student supports and wraparound coordination inside K-12 schools. Directly comparable to PSS's wraparound/integrated supports focus area and a PSS co-developer of quality standards.
• National College Attainment Network (NCAN): National membership organization supporting college access and postsecondary transition programs for low-income students. Directly comparable to PSS's postsecondary transition coaching focus and a PSS standards partner.
• PeerForward: National nonprofit training high school students to serve as peer mentors supporting peers with postsecondary transitions. Directly comparable as a PSS partner developing peer mentoring training modules.
• OneGoal: National nonprofit supporting postsecondary transition planning for high school students. Directly comparable to PSS's postsecondary transition coaching focus and a PSS partner on 'Every Student, A Plan' training.
• National Student Support Accelerator: National nonprofit advancing high-impact tutoring in K-12 through research, training, and policy. Directly comparable as the lead partner on PSS's Tutor Apprenticeships Toolkit and tutoring working group.
• Accelerate: National nonprofit focused on evidence-based tutoring policy and implementation. Directly comparable as a PSS standards partner and co-lead of the PSS Tutoring Policy Working Group.
• MENTOR (MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership): National nonprofit setting quality and training standards for youth mentoring programs. Directly comparable as the lead PSS partner on mentoring standards and co-developer of free mentor training modules used by PSS.
• City Year: National education nonprofit deploying near-peer AmeriCorps members as student success coaches in K-12 schools. Directly comparable to PSS in its student success coaching focus and as a PSS co-developer of Voluntary Quality Standards.

Broad incumbents

• StriveTogether: National Cradle to Career Network of community partnerships focused on education outcomes from early childhood through postsecondary. Broadly comparable as a competing cross-sector coalition model operating in similar districts.
• America's Promise Alliance: Large national cross-sector coalition supporting youth development, including tutoring, mentoring, and postsecondary pathways. Broader in scope than PSS, with similar coalition convening and federal advocacy functions.

Market position

Strengths2 records

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ps_success
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/partnership-for-student-success

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Partnership for Student Success