30 Years of Unlocking Potential
For three decades, Per Scholas has fueled economic mobility by opening doors to high-growth tech careers. As we honor our history, we look ahead to shaping the future of tech for years to come.
Measuring our Impact
Per Scholas by the Numbers
OF IMPACT
Nationwide
trained
1995-2025
30 Years of Innovation and Impact
From a Bronx warehouse to a national movement, Per Scholas has spent three decades launching tech careers and expanding opportunity—one learner at a time.
1990s
1995
Founded at 131 Walnut Ave in the South Bronx to close the digital divide by recycling and distributing refurbished computers to schools and families. Per Scholas would distribute over 90,000 reconditioned computers before fully refocusing the mission on technical training.
1998
Launched the first general technology career training program.
2000s
2000
Opened an industrial-scale computer recycling center at 1231 Lafayette Street, Bronx, NY, expanding technology training to meet employer demand.
2006
Acquired Comp2Kids, providing home computers to middle schoolers after tech training.
Later launched Comp2Seniors to serve older adults.
2000s
2009
Moved into a new facility at 804 East 138th Street, funded by The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and NYS Assemblyman Ruben Diaz, Jr.
2010s
2010-2012
A Public/Private Ventures impact study confirmed Per Scholas alumni earned significantly more than peers, leading to a White House Social Innovation Fund Award.
Launched national expansion with a Columbus, OH campus, supported by a $1.8M Creating IT Futures Foundation grant and a grant from JPMorgan Chase.
2013-2015
Accelerated expansion with campuses in Cincinnati, OH; National Capital Region, MD; and Dallas, TX.
Enrollment surpassed 500 learners.
Per Scholas’ partnership with TEKsystems began, now celebrating 10 years, over 1,300 Per Scholas technologists placed in tech roles, and nearly $288 million in career earnings.
2010s
2016
Opened a sixth campus in Atlanta, GA, and a second NYC campus in Brooklyn.
A major federally sponsored evaluation found that training improved income, reduced reliance on public benefits, and increased life satisfaction.
2017
Launched employer-customized training programs in partnership with Cognizant, directly linking learners to hiring pipelines.
2018
The Ballmer Group awarded Per Scholas $10M, our first 8-figure gift, helping us grow enrollment nationally and open several new locations.
2019
Expanded into Baltimore, Detroit, Greater Boston, Newark, and Philadelphia.
Celebrated enrollment of the 10,000th learner.
2020s
2020-2021
Opened campuses in Charlotte, Chicago, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, and Seattle.
Partnered with ActivateWork to deliver training in Denver.
Won the Grand Prize in the Economic Opportunity Challenge, a national funding competition to identify the best and most scalable approach to building economic mobility.
Introduced remote training in response to the global pandemic, a new cornerstone of Per Scholas that would continue after in-person training resumed.
2022
Launched inaugural cohorts in Orlando and St. Louis.
Surpassed 2,000 learners trained annually.
Launched a new satellite training model in New York in partnership with local community organizations to bring Per Scholas training to all five boroughs. The strategy would soon be replicated in other markets.
Launched Career Accelerator to boost alumni toward a thriving wage through technical upskilling, continued career development, and networking opportunities.
2020s
2023-2024
Expanded into Los Angeles, Kansas City, Houston, and Buffalo.
Partnered with Social Finance to offer a forgivable zero percent loan to help learners cover living expenses while in training.
2025
Celebrated 30th anniversary by ringing the Nasdaq Closing Bell!
It’s hard to believe how much the passionate and dedicated team at Per Scholas has accomplished since its founding. 30,000 individuals trained in 30 years and we are just getting started...
Empowering the Future: Celebrating 30 Years of Unlocking Potential
Join us in New York for our milestone event on Tuesday, October 21.
What’s Next?
Expanding access. Accelerating impact. Creating the future together.
As we celebrate 30 years of impact, Per Scholas is accelerating its mission. With bold plans ahead, we’re deepening our reach and expanding access to transformative tech training nationwide.
Innovation
Technology is evolving fast—and so are we. From AI to new hiring solutions, we’re preparing learners for the future of work.
Impact
We’re expanding our reach into rural, suburban, and urban communities, strengthening our local connections nationwide.
Expansion
After 30 years and 30,000 tech careers, we’re just getting started. With new campuses, satellite partnerships, and expanded upskilling for alumni, Per Scholas is unlocking more pathways to opportunity nationwide.
I would hire Per Scholas alumni because I know [Per Scholas] builds confidence...
Jalisa Zimmerman
Financial Order Operations Specialist at SAGE
At Sage we love to hire Per Scholas alumni because they are the most prepared technologists we have seen...
Patricia Adams
Intact Support Manager at SAGE
I definitely encourage companies to hire Per Scholas alumni...
From my experience, they come in with great skillsets that are immediately leverageable. They’re determined to be successful.
Mark Campbell
Director of Consulting Expert at CGI
The impact that Per Scholas has had on my family is now generational...
Tory Thompson
Director of Software Engineering at Per Scholas
Thank You
Partners Power Our Work
Thanks to our generous network of partners, and supporters for helping us unlock transformative career opportunities across the United States. For a complete list of our partners & supporters click here.
Per Scholas partners with businesses of all sizes from startups to Fortune 1000 companies to build skilled, sustainable tech talent pipelines. Thank you to our employer partners including Allstate, Amazon, Barclays, Blackrock, Boing, Capital One, Google, Microsoft, and many more.
