U.S. Dream Academy

Ensuring Quality Support of Student Dreams

With 10 centers around the country, the U.S. Dream Academy serves elementary and middle school students who have a history of family incarceration. The children benefit from academic support, character-building and one-on-one mentoring relationships.

In widespread multi-site programs like this one, assessing impact and effectiveness is critical. That’s where Foundations' Center for Afterschool Education comes in. The Academy relies on Foundations’ Quality Assurance System (QAS) evaluation tool, along with technical assistance, to maximize lessons learned and spark continuous program improvements.

QAS helps the Academy target specific improvement goals, identify site-specific innovations and strengths and share those strengths organization-wide—building capacity at all program sites.