A longstanding tradition at Learn4Life is when a student turns in his or her final assignment, their teacher loudly rings a bell to signify another new graduate. All the other students cheer and offer congratulations. Because Learn4Life students work at their own pace, graduations happen throughout the year.

This is especially heartwarming, given our at-risk student population. Most come to Learn4Life at age 17, lacking 70+ credits, reading at a fifth-grade level and 82 percent are socio-economically disadvantaged. Many have fallen behind because they need to work, parent their siblings or their own children, or have learning disabilities. Some are homelessness or in foster care or were constantly bullied at their previous school.

Founded in 2001 with just 30 students, Learn4Life now serves more than 49,000 students per year across 85 locations in California, Ohio and Michigan. Through its unique model of one-on-one attention, personalized learning, flexibility and workforce readiness programs, all enhanced with trauma-informed practices, 90 percent of Learn4Life students are successful by either graduating or catching up on credits and returning to their traditional school for graduation. Nearly half enroll in post-secondary education after graduating from Learn4Life.



Since 2001, Learn4Life has grown to impact over 250,000 students and stands out as one of the largest and most successful nonprofit charter networks in California.