About Robin Hood’s Transfer School Pilot

Students aged 16-21 who fall behind in earning course credits risk aging out of high school without a diploma—limiting their access to college, careers, and long-term economic mobility. Transfer schools provide these students with opportunities for more personalized support on their journey toward graduation and postsecondary success. In Spring 2024, the Robin Hood Foundation funded three organizations to pilot innovative interventions across 10 New York City transfer schools. Research suggests that transfer schools, especially those partnered with Learning to Work (LTW) programs, may help students graduate at higher rates than similar peers in traditional schools. Building on this evidence, the pilots introduced several career-connected learning strategies, including:

• Work-Based Learning (WBL): Real-world job experiences that build skills and career readiness.
• Dual Enrollment: Opportunities to earn college credits while completing high school.
• Credentials & Certificate Programs: Industry-recognized credentials to strengthen postsecondary pathways.

About the Study

In partnership with MDRC, the Research Alliance for New York City Schools is conducting a mixed-methods study to examine how these innovations impact transfer school students. The team will conduct interviews and school site visits to document implementation and stakeholder experiences, and leverage NYC Public Schools administrative data to measure student outcomes and assess program impact.

What We’re Exploring:

• Implementation: What supports or challenges shape program delivery?
• Student Engagement & Graduation: Do the programs improve student engagement (e.g. attendance, credit accumulation) or graduation rates?
• Postsecondary Readiness: How do the interventions influence postsecondary readiness, including college enrollment?
• Differential Impact: How do results vary across different student groups?

This research will offer actionable insights for policymakers, educators and school and district leaders who are focused on helping more students earn their diplomas and succeed beyond high school.