Welcome to College Track Oakland

Since opening in 2002, College Track Oakland has been committed to ensuring students can connect their talent, intellectual curiosity, and work ethic to the opportunities that come from completing a four-year college education.

Today, we celebrate 475 students and more than 190 alumni on the path to upward social mobility.

While Oakland has emerged in recent years as a beacon of innovation and entrepreneurship, its achievement gap has grown at a faster rate than 80% of major U.S. cities. This disparity in wealth and education hits students of color especially hard. While 70% of Caucasian residents hold a bachelor’s degree, only 34% of African-American and 17% of Latinx residents do.

The Joe K. Gardner Memorial Fund

The Joe K. Gardner Memorial Fund honors the legacy of College Track Site Director, Joe K. Gardner, and the indelible impact on College Track scholars and the people with and for whom he did this work. Contributions will support emergency funds for College Track scholars, which provide vital resources to ensure that our students remain on track to earn their bachelor’s degree, despite unexpected financial hardships. Funds will be used to cover crucial, unforeseen expenses that would otherwise pose significant roadblocks in our scholars’ ability to persist through college, including housing, food, medical, tuition, transportation, and technology.