Row New York is one of the most successful outcomes-driven sports and college prep programs in New York City. We provided a catalytic grant that played a central role in building a new boathouse for the organization, which has resulted in millions of dollars of additional funding from private sources. The boathouse will act as the organization’s headquarters where it can house academic programming and equipment, serve more youth in a comprehensive onsite program, and increase earned revenue streams.
Row New York serves middle and high school students from under-resourced schools with a year-round mix of competitive rowing and individualized academic support at its Manhattan site on the Harlem River and at an additional site in Queens. Row New York maintains an impressive record with 95% of students matriculating to college, a 95% first-year completion rate, and a 70% college graduation rate within six years.
Row New York does not screen based on academic performance but, once admitted, students with a GPA below 80% focus exclusively on grade improvement via tutoring and small-group academic instruction. In addition to rowing, all students in the program participate in a SAT prep course, Regents test prep, career development activities and college visits. Programming also includes college-readiness workshops, one-on-one assistance with college and financial aid applications, assistance with recruitment to college rowing teams, formal check-ins during freshman year and connecting students to on-campus resources and newly developed college persistence supports bolstered by a partnership with CARA.