What happens when we invest in girls
Massachusetts ranks high on many measures of success. So why do so many girls still face unequal access to opportunity, wellness, and economic security?
Our new report places Esperanza Academy students and alumni in the context of the broader Massachusetts landscape and shows what can change when girls are met with rigor, belonging, and long-term support.
The Status of Women and Girls in Massachusetts report from the Wellesley Centers for Women and the Women’s Foundation of Massachusetts names barriers that families in Gateway Cities like Lawrence already know well: gaps in earnings, student debt, mental health, and access to opportunity remain deeply uneven. Esperanza’s new impact brief responds with our own student and alumni data and a closer look at how our model is helping girls move toward choice, stability, and generational prosperity.
What if wellness were not treated as an extra, but as part of how students learn and thrive?
Our model centers restorative justice, music therapy, culturally affirming relationships, and a deep sense of belonging. In our report, 95 percent of students say they see themselves in the curriculum, and 100 percent say music therapy helps with their emotions.
What happens when we invest in girls
Download the full report to explore the data, the context, and what becomes possible when we invest in girls.
If girls are doing well in school, why do so many still face unequal outcomes later on?
Because strong academic performance alone does not erase wage gaps, student debt, high housing costs, or uneven access to high-wage fields. Our report looks at that disconnect and shows how Esperanza pairs rigorous learning with graduate support designed to help girls turn educational success into economic mobility.
What does it look like when a school builds that bridge on purpose?
At Esperanza, rigor is not just about harder classes. Girls complete gateway courses like Algebra 1 by eighth grade, lead their own academic conferences three times a year, and get coaching on high school, college, and career decisions that match their goals.
What does long-term support make possible?
Our report shows that Esperanza’s commitment does not end at middle school graduation. Through sustained graduate support, alumni are navigating high school, college, and early career with stronger educational foundations, lower debt burdens, and relationships that continue to open doors.
Our alumni are graduating from high school, persisting through postsecondary pathways, building early career momentum, and reporting strong experiences of belonging and support along the way.
100% of Esperanza alumni graduate from high school.
96% enroll in college, university, or training within 12 months.
92% complete a degree or credential within six years.
At least 88% of surveyed alumni are living above the federal poverty line.
About 80% of adult alumni are currently working for pay.
Nearly 90% of surveyed adult alumni reported breaking the cycle of deep poverty.
