The South Bronx United Academy Evaluation Report
South Bronx United
Summary
A two-year mixed-methods evaluation of South Bronx United’s SBU Academy program, conducted by Adelphi University. The report documents the academy’s impact on academic achievement, social-emotional learning, leadership development, and college readiness among low-income, immigrant, and first-generation youth who participate in its soccer-centered programming.
HOW AND WHEN IT CAN HELP
- Useful for funders, policymakers, and educators seeking evidence of sport-based youth development outcomes
- Helps nonprofits and community groups understand how to integrate soccer with academics, mentoring, and career prep
- Offers a model for schools and clubs serving immigrant or multilingual youth populations
- Provides concrete data to organizations designing evaluations or measuring SEL and college readiness outcomes
- Relevant for coaches, mentors, and administrators balancing athletics with academic programming
WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT THIS RESOURCE
This resource is not only an evaluation – it’s also packed with detailed learnings and practices, including on collective impact and best practices with partners. The report shows clear evidence of soccer as a catalyst for academic success and holistic development. The findings highlight exceptional outcomes—99% grade promotion, 100% graduation, and over 91% college enrollment. The report also captures strong SEL and leadership growth, with youth describing SBU as a safe, welcoming, and diverse community. It combines rigorous quantitative data with youth and mentor voices, making it both evidence-driven and human-centered.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS WHEN USING THIS RESOURCE
- How can your program integrate soccer or sport with academic support and mentoring?
- What role could consistent coach-mentor relationships play in strengthening SEL outcomes?
- How can you track both quantitative outcomes (grades, graduation) and qualitative stories of impact?
- What partnerships—schools, colleges, legal or social services—might extend your impact beyond the field?
- How might you adapt SBU’s model to reflect your community’s demographics, resources, and needs?
- What systems will ensure sustainability and long-term pathways for alumni success?
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
The SBU Academy is the core program of South Bronx United, a nonprofit serving over 1,900 youth annually through soccer, academics, college prep, mentoring, workforce development, immigration legal services, and more. The evaluation was led by Dr. Meredith Whitley of Adelphi University, with support from South Bronx United staff, youth, and families. Learn more at southbronxunited.org.
CREDITING CONTRIBUTORS
The Resource Hub is made possible by the generosity of contributors. It demonstrates the rich expertise and collective team spirit that exists across our soccer community.
All resources that have been contributed to the Resource Hub are free for users of the Hub to learn from, adapt and implement in their own organization and community.
Where relevant, we encourage users of the resources to formally or informally credit the resource creator, to acknowledge their expertise and generosity.