Celebrating 10 Years of the RISE Network

Dear RISE Partners,

Ten years ago, we launched the RISE Network with a simple belief: when educators collaborate across schools and districts, share breakthroughs and challenges, and keep students at the center, student outcomes improve.

Now, as we begin the 2025–26 school year — our 10th anniversary — we celebrate the educators, students, and partners who have made that belief a reality! We are especially grateful for the school communities that have shaped RISE into the vibrant, growing network it is today.

Read the full letter from Barbara Dalio, Co-Founder and Board Chair, and Emily Pallin, Co-Founder and Executive Director.

Introducing the First-Ever RISE Postsecondary Symposium: Unlocking Doors of Opportunity

The inaugural RISE Postsecondary Symposium on October 29-30 will focus on expanding postsecondary access and opportunity for all students. This collaborative program will highlight research-backed strategies and real-world practices from RISE’s partner schools, all grounded in frameworks for continuous improvement. Together, we’ll explore how to support students in identifying their goals, navigating key milestones, and confidently pursuing next steps for their identified postsecondary plan. Read more about the key objectives of the Postsecondary Symposium and highlights of the agenda.

Registration closes soon, so reserve your spot and be part of this exciting launch!

RISE Launches AmeriCorps On-Track Mentor Program

The RISE Network recently launched a new partnership with Serve Connecticut and AmeriCorps to launch its innovative On-Track Mentor program, a student success initiative designed to ensure more students stay on track to graduate from high school and pursue postsecondary opportunities. Through this partnership, AmeriCorps members will serve as On-Track Mentors in RISE partner high schools, each supporting a caseload of students who may face challenges during the transition into Grade 9.

RISE Releases Learning Briefs on Critical Summer Transition Programs

Over the summer, schools across the RISE Network hosted programs to help ease students’ transitions into 9th and 12th grades. At RISE, our keen focus on data enables us to study the impact of programs like these. Learn more by reading our Summer Bridge Learning Brief and our newly released Summer Academy Learning Brief, which showcase the efficacy of both programs. Importantly, both briefs found that students who participated in these programs started the school year ahead of their peers who did not attend.

Upcoming Events

• October 16 - RISE in Action Virtual Learning Series: Proactive Steps to Build a Culture of Postsecondary Access
• October 29-30 - RISE Network Postsecondary Symposium
• November 13 - RISE in Action Virtual Learning Series: Building a Culture of Financial Aid Access

From the RISE Blog

• RISE Network Launches New Partnership with AmeriCorps to Launch On-Track Mentor Program
• Unlocking Doors of Opportunity: RISE's First-Ever Postsecondary Symposium
• New Year, Fresh Start
• In Pursuit of Progress: How Change Ideas Drive Improvement Across the RISE Network
• Learning, Leading, and Leveling up: Worcester Tech at the Grade 9 Symposium

Social Media Spotlight

Join the RISE Network on LinkedIn and Facebook for more updates and to connect with colleagues!

Get Involved with RISE

From the RISE Data Hub to professional learning opportunities, learn more about how to get involved in the RISE Network! You can also contribute to RISE, where your donation supports a community of educators striving to ensure every high school student graduates college and career-ready. Together, we can and will help all students realize their full potential.