High School Plus is one of SOWMA’s three programs. HSP is a personalized effort designed to help students impacted by homelessness stay engaged with their education through high school and pursue a college degree or vocational certificate. We place special emphasis on working with students who are considered unaccompanied youth, ages 16-22 who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. More than 50% of SOWMA’s High School Plus students are considered Unaccompanied Youth.

Numbers and Statistics

• According to Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), there are more than 5,500 high school students who are impacted by homelessness enrolled in Massachusetts Public schools. Of those, less than 1 in 4 will graduate.
• As of August 2017, the High School Plus Program has a graduation rate of 100%. Most of our HSP students are the first in their family to pursue a post-secondary degree.
• High School Plus currently has 44 college students attending thirteen colleges around New England.
• We are proud of our students who are currently attending college at:

Bridgewater State University

Bunker Hill Community College

Husson University in ME

Massachusetts Art Institute

Massasoit Community College

North Shore Community College

Quincy College

Roxbury Community college

Framingham State University

University of Massachusetts- Boston

University of Massachusetts- Dartmouth

University of Massachusetts- Lowell

University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

High School Plus Services

• Provides an individualized assessment of the student’s needs and creates realistic short-term and long-term educational goals for the students’ future plans
• Connects the students to college planning agencies or vocational programs
• Assist with college application process, including financial aid, SAT/ACT registration, letters of recommendation, scholarships, etc.
• Assists with items not covered by financial aid or other agencies such as school fees, textbooks, housing and tuition deposits, transportation passes, school supplies, etc.
• Provides academic support and tutoring, when possible
• Serve as a liaison between the student and their college or vocational faculty
• Connects students to resources on and off campus
• Provides a mentor through the College Plus Mentor Program

For information about High School Plus and mentoring, contact Cassandra at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or call 508-587-9091.