Athletes of Promise Foundation logo

Our Program

The AOP Scholar-Athlete Success Model

AOP is not a collection of separate programs. It is one signature model with seven integrated phases that carry a student from recruitment through college and career, with a trained mentor at their side the entire way.

AOP Foundation partners with schools to identify and support student-athletes and students with athletic aspirations, with a particular focus on expanding opportunities for students from historically underserved communities who face barriers to educational, athletic, and career success.

The Mentor Advantage

Every scholar has one trained adult in their corner

Each student is paired with a trained adult mentor who serves as coach, advocate, connector, and accountability partner throughout the year. That relationship is the engine of the model, and it is what sets AOP apart.

How it works

Seven integrated phases

School Partnership

AOP partners with schools that share a commitment to expanding opportunities for students.

  • The school appoints an AOP Site Coordinator.
  • Teachers, coaches, counselors, and administrators nominate staff members interested in serving as mentors.
  • Mentors complete AOP training before working with students.

Student Recruitment

Students are identified through coaches, counselors, teachers, administrators, and self-referral.

  • Applicants complete an application, essay, and transcript, with two recommendations, family information, athletic goals, and career interests.
  • We prioritize students who demonstrate potential while facing barriers to opportunity, focusing on opportunity rather than defining students by deficits.

Individual Success Plan

Every student completes assessments and builds a personalized annual development plan with their mentor.

  • Assessments span academic readiness, athletic development, leadership skills, mental wellness, college knowledge, career interests, financial literacy, and life skills.
  • The mentor and student use the results to set goals and create a personalized annual plan.

Mentorship & Coaching

Each mentor supports three to four students year-round, with weekly check-ins.

  • Weekly check-ins cover grades, attendance, behavior, athletic goals, leadership development, and personal challenges.
  • The mentor becomes the primary point of accountability, and a coach, advocate, and connector.

Leadership Academy

A structured curriculum across seven tracks, not isolated workshops.

Academic Excellence

  • Study skills
  • Time management
  • SAT/ACT preparation

College Readiness

  • Applications
  • FAFSA
  • Scholarships
  • Campus visits

Career Development

  • Resume writing
  • Interview skills
  • Networking
  • LinkedIn

Leadership

  • Public speaking
  • Teamwork
  • Service learning

Health & Wellness

  • Mental health
  • Nutrition
  • Recovery
  • Sports psychology

Athletic Performance

  • Speed
  • Strength
  • Injury prevention
  • Recruiting education

Financial Literacy

  • Budgeting
  • Credit
  • Investing
  • Entrepreneurship

Opportunity Fund

Mentors request support so resources reach students fairly and consistently.

  • Requests can cover athletic equipment, tutoring, rehabilitation, transportation, college visits, enrichment experiences, testing fees, and leadership conferences.
  • The mentor provides the rationale, and AOP reviews each request using clear criteria so resources are allocated fairly and consistently.

College & Career Transition

AOP supports each scholar through the move to college and career, and stays connected into the first year.

  • Application, financial aid, and decision support through senior year.
  • Internships, summer employment, and industry credentials that build a real career on-ramp.
  • "To-and-through" check-ins that continue into the first year after high school.

Measurable Outcomes

How we define and report success

Every phase has an owner and a metric. These are the outcomes we track, report to funders, and use to improve.

Academic

  • GPA improvement
  • Attendance
  • Graduation rate

Athletic

  • Team participation
  • Athletic performance goals
  • College recruitment

College

  • FAFSA completion
  • College applications
  • Scholarships earned

Career

  • Summer employment
  • Internships
  • Certifications

Leadership

  • Community service
  • Leadership roles
  • Public speaking

Bring the model to your school or support a scholar

We partner with schools, employers, and community organizations across NYC.

Partner with AOP Apply as a student