Advancing K-12 Education
Bloomberg Philanthropies’ efforts to advance education are grounded in the belief that broad coalitions can help put students’ interests first, increasing high school graduation rates, and, ultimately, college enrollment.
Education Reform
The American public education system is in need of comprehensive reform to ensure that all students are able to realize their full potential. Bloomberg Philanthropies is supporting the success and growth of new and existing high-quality charter and autonomous schools, backing strong local education leaders, and helping create city- and state-level conditions to drive and sustain progress. The goal is to help build a stronger and more modern model of public education – one that is based on evidence, centered on children, and governed by accountability and high standards – so that every child has access to a great education.
Advocacy and political activities are not in any part supported by The Bloomberg Family Foundation.
Summer Boost
Summer Boost launched in 2022 to support charter students completing kindergarten through 8th grade to accelerate their academic progress in English Language Arts and math while providing engaging enrichment opportunities, in response to Covid-related learning loss. In summer 2026, Summer Boost is taking place in seven U.S. cities: Baltimore, MD; Birmingham, AL; Memphis, TN; Nashville, TN; New York, NY; San Antonio, TX; and Washington, D.C.
An evaluation of the program found that the over 39,000 students who attended Summer Boost gained on average an additional five weeks of learning in math, relative to their non-Summer Boost peers. In English Language Arts, students gained on average an additional two weeks of learning relative to their non-Summer Boost peers. The positive impacts of Summer Boost are relatively consistent across all participating cities and students.
By the end of the summer program, students were better prepared to start the new school year and get back on track for success.
Global Cities, Inc.
Global Cities, Inc. is a nonprofit dedicated to connecting cities around the world and developing global competence among the next generation through its Global Scholars digital exchange program, which has so far reached nearly 139,000 students and 3,100 educators from 126 cities in 39 countries. Students ages 10 to 13 have the opportunity to communicate directly with their peers across the globe in e-classrooms.
Photo credit: John Keith, DC Public Education Fund