First Star Bruin Guardian Scholars Academy

Support for foster and systems-impacted youth

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Every child deserves the opportunity to flourish and realize their full potential. But the odds are stacked against the 400,000+ children in foster care nationwide. Our interventions are especially necessary in California, which has more foster youth than any other state in the country, and in LA County, which has more foster youth than any other county in California, with approximately 30,000 in LA County alone. Only 50% of foster youth graduate from high school, and only 10% pursue higher education. Within the first 2-4 years of leaving care, 51% of these young adults are unemployed, 46% will be incarcerated, 40% are on public assistance, and 31% become homeless. These poor outcomes are almost guaranteed by widespread home and school instability, and the resulting revolving door of inconsistent adults who are not invested in the youths’ futures. Foster care all too often constitutes a road to incarceration.

First Star UCLA Bruin Guardian Scholars Academy (BGSA), now in its 13th year of operation, is a long-term college-prep program for high school foster youth. BGSA represents a 4-year commitment to LA County foster youth, providing targeted academic instruction and educational advocacy to prepare students for college and independence. Our immersive four-week Summer Session brings 40-60 foster youth grades 9-12 to live and study as a community with highly qualified professionals and student staff Peer Mentors on UCLA campus each summer throughout high school, alongside 1-2 monthly Saturday Sessions during the school year. Our holistic programming distinguishes us from other college prep programs, prioritizing the comprehensive development of our youth beyond academics by nurturing their emotional, social, and personal growth. We strive to:
Keep 100% of youth on track for high school graduation. Provide youth with critical resources and support to ensure that at least 90% successfully transition to higher education. Ensure 100% of youth have the life skills and resources needed to prepare them for independence and adulthood.
Engage at least 75% of caregivers who can provide long-term support to youth as they transition to higher education and independence. Provide 100% of undergraduate/graduate student peer mentors with training and resources to advance their careers and lives. In 2024, 100% of BGSA seniors graduated high school, with 92% enrolling in higher education.

In California, Annie E. Casey's 2017 research identified 24,255 foster youth, ages 14+. Of those roughly 20% or 4,851 are seniors, a 50% graduation rate reduces that to 2,425 annually; 17% are UC/CSU eligible. That is only 412 foster youth eligible to attend a UC. Our scholars are all UC eligible.
Our work transforms the lives of LA County foster youth. With greater high school graduation rates and increased college enrollment, more foster youth are empowered to break cycles of instability and contribute positively to the community, reducing rates of unemployment, incarceration, and homelessness. This creates a ripple effect, fostering a more educated, self-sufficient, and resilient population. Long-term, we will continue expanding BGSA’s capacity in order to serve even more youth in foster care, their caregivers, and Peer Mentors in order to amplify our impact while making systemic changes in how foster youth are supported and empowered for success.

Our success is measured by a comprehensive data-driven framework encompassing the academic, social-emotional, and permanency outcomes of Academy youth. Our Data Dashboard serves as a central hub for tracking scholars' growth and development, with semesterly inputs. This robust internal data system enables us to not only assess current outcomes but also identify areas for improvement and intervention.
Our success is defined by achieving measurable outcomes across various domains. Our goal is that the youth we serve are supported academically, financially, and emotionally as they age out of the system and into higher education. Since 2023, 100% of BGSA seniors graduated high school, and over 90% are pursuing post-secondary education opportunities. Of all BGSA seniors, 62% are attending 4-year colleges, 31% are attending 2-year colleges, and 7% are entering full-time employment. These remarkable rates demonstrate BGSA’s ongoing success and impact on the lives of LA County foster youth.