About Us Our Mission

Our Mission

Since 1994, Project Success has been connecting students to their purpose through a proven methodology of experiential learning called DIG (Dream. Ignite. Grow.) Project Success currently works with more than 16,000 6th-12th grade students and their families in the Minneapolis and Mankato public school districts.

Our Impact PS Partner Schools
Students jumping on a beach.

Our Mission Statement

Project Success motivates and inspires young people to dream about the future, helps them take steps to get there, and gives them the tools they need to achieve their goals.

Our Vision

Our vision is that every child entering middle school will graduate high school with a plan for their future and have the skills and confidence that will take them through the rest of their lives.

Our Values

The values that guide Project Success staff, volunteers, board, and partners.

Our work is led by a passion for young people. We are here first and foremost because we believe in young people and the power they have to create successful happy lives. The principle of “Kids First” guides decisions and programming.

We meet every person and situation with openness and acceptance. Project Success operates in a fair and balanced system that offers all students an equal playing field – an environment that is conducive to their growth and to taking the necessary steps toward achieving their dreams.

We maintain a positive outlook and remind ourselves to always come from a place of love. We recognize that a patient and loving response to any situation is always the best answer.

We are committed to maintaining an open, honest, and ongoing communication with all who are involved with Project Success. This includes co-workers, students, school staff, parents, families, theater partners, our supporters, and general members of the community.

We are committed to always being dependable, reliable, and trustworthy in order to create a healthy environment in the workplace, schools, theaters, and community.

We value ongoing personal and organizational learning and growing through self-assessment, creative thinking, and problem solving to better serve our mission.

Through teamwork and the constant application of our values, we will develop and maintain healthy relationships with students and families, school and theater staff, co-workers, and people in the community.

We are committed to excellence in every area of our organization. By constantly adhering to these core values, we will sustain an inspiring, effective, and high quality program.

Our Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility

We are committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (I.D.E.A.). I.D.E.A. is embedded into our daily approach to our mission and to each of our actions, decisions, and plans.

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VIDEO: 30 Years of Connecting Students to their Purpose

Learn about the impact of our programming directly from our community including our middle and high school students, alumni, community partners, school partners, education leaders, staff, and board.

Our Curriculum

DIG Methodology

Our DIG methodology inspires meaningful engagement from students that increases academic performance and sets the stage for their future. Over the course of seven years — beginning in grade 6 and continuing through grade 12 — we engage students through four program components: Workshops, Arts, Expeditions, and Institute.

Programs & Curriculum

Project Success Programs

  • Workshops

    Out-of-this-world experiences. Right inside the classroom.

    Each month, a Project Success facilitator guides experiential activities in 6th-12th grade classrooms. In middle school, students focus on building community, identity, setting goals and leadership while preparing for high school. In high school, students focus on making conscious decisions, taking action on their goals, and overcoming obstacles while preparing for life after high school.

    Through Workshops, students:
    • Feel excited to state steps toward their futures
    • Develop a better sense of self and purpose
    • Are equipped with tools, skills and confidence needed to achieve goals

    Annually, 16,000 students participate in our workshops led by a PS facilitator.

    “My Facilitator unlocked doors for us. He gave us language about how to talk about our futures.”
    – Marc Bromaghim-Oropeza, PS Alum and Staff Member 

    Explore Workshops at Your School

    In-Class Workshops

    Find out if Project Success works with your school and learn about the Facilitators who deliver workshops in your classroom.

    Workshops & FacilitatorsFind My School
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  • Arts

    Setting the stage. For your life.

    Observing live theater performances and participating in a staged production give students a window into the performing arts, from front of stage to behind the scenes. Thanks to the generous donations of tickets from our 50+ theater partners, Project Success students and their families have access to professional performances and residencies at no cost to them. Theater experiences create a springboard for discussion — inviting risk-taking and possibility.

    Through Arts, students:
    • Are more aware of diverse perspectives and the world around them
    •     Build and strengthen community
    •     Practice setting and achieving goals 

    Annually, more than 10,000 students and families attend live theater and arts experiences.

    “For my son, the musical was the start of him being confident. He saw, ‘There are other people that want to do what I do, and in a secure, inviting, comfortable, supportive environment.’”
    – Gina, Anwatin Middle School Parent

    Register for Arts Experiences

    Musicals

    Project Success produces middle school musicals annually at Andersen, Anwatin, Northeast, and Sanford. Through musicals, students learn how to work together to produce and perform a show for peers and their community.

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    Theater Experiences

    Project Success students can request up to 4 free tickets to each evening or weekend performance of their choosing, so they can attend alongside family and friends, which can lead to more positive family and peer relationships — shown to have a positive impact on student achievement.

    Learn MoreVirtual Experiences
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  • Expeditions

    Learning is a trip. From here to around the world.

    Getting out of day-to-day comfort zones open students’ worldviews and ways to thrive, and gives students the opportunity to practice skills learned in their PS workshops. We do this through local to national college and career tours, global experiences to discover culture, art, language, and connection around the world, both virtually and with travel. Our outdoor adventures include field trips and summer trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Apostle Islands.

    Through Expeditions, students:
    • Visualize their potential post-secondary experience
    •     Learn and internalize planning strategies and skills
    •     Are more aware of the possibilities and the world around them 

    3,000 students experience outdoor field trips, BWCA and Apostle Islands trips, college and career tours, and global experiences annually.

    “We are blown away with how capable she suddenly seems, how much knowledge she gained, and how great of a time it sounds like she had. She learned so much about herself and has gained so much confidence.“
    – Parent of a Middle School BWCA Attendee

    Register for Expeditions Experiences

    Outdoor Adventures

    Middle School students are invited to participate in our BWCA or Apostle Island Adventures – multi-day wilderness trips for all abilities! They learn teamwork, leadership, communication, and goal-setting while experiencing the beauty of the wilderness and a simple way of life.

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    College Tours

    High School students are invited to participate in our tours to college, university and institute campuses. While there, they learn how to ask questions, make decisions and strategies for applying to college.

    Learn MoreVirtual Experiences

    Global Experiences

    Students are invited to explore our virtual Global Experiences here. In person Global Experiences are planned in partnership with schools. Through global experiences, students develop global leader skills, build confidence in trying new things, and broaden their awareness of the possibilities.

    Virtual Experiences

  • Institute

    Gaining new skills. Building fulfilling futures.

    Through the Project Success Institute, students build critical life and career skills that enrich their independence and cultivate creativity and curiosity. Through exploration, courses and projects led by diverse and experienced content experts, the Institute provide relevant opportunities that give students a jumpstart into the world of working and being.

    Through the Institute, students: 
    • Learn and develop durable life and career skills
    •     Gain awareness of career paths and ideas for their futures
    •     Build connections with industry professionals 

    220 students complete certificates through the Project Success Institute annually.

    “I see the Institute as a great program to help [us] develop new skills and learn offering a lot of opportunities available to us right now and in the future. Making connection with professionals from that area and also developing the skills and in the future I see it as experience you can show in a resume for a job.”
    – Institute Student 
     

    Register for Institute Experiences

    Institute Certificates

    High School students are invited to participate in Certificates include Bike Tech, Creative Writing, Baking, and Cooking. We work with local professionals in all of these fields to provide impactful educational opportunities for students in our beautiful Institute space. Sign up today for an immersive learning experience that is sure to inspire!

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    Best Buy Teen Tech Center

    The Best Buy Teen Tech Center at Project Success is where technology meets imagination. Gain hands-on experience with the latest technology. All students age 13-18 are welcome to join. It’s FREE, but membership is required. Click below to see our drop-in hours and membership sign up!

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Strategic Plan

Our Vision for the Future

A strategic plan outlines an organization’s long-term goals, objectives, and strategies, acting as a roadmap for decision-making and resource allocation. Learn more about our current strategic plan.

2022-2025 Strategic Plan
Blog

The latest from Project Success

Learn about the latest program and organizational updates through our recent PS Blog stories.

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