Wyman Leaders supports young people in St. Louis to develop life and leadership skills, enter and complete college and career education programs, and create strong community connections.

Youth participate in camp experiences, individualized coaching, and enrichment activities. Teens enter the summer before ninth grade and finish the program as adults, four years after high school graduation.

Annually, Wyman’s trained youth professionals support more than 300 students through this impactful eight-year program.

Wyman Leaders are…

  • Graduates: 100% graduate from high school on time.
  • Future-focused: Exploring educational opportunities and planning for the careers they want.
  • Supported: Receiving coaching for the transition to high school and then higher education.
  • Leaders: Participating in intensive summer and school-year leadership experiences and taking on leadership roles in their schools and communities.
  • Mentors: Coming back to Wyman as college students and alumni to mentor younger teens entering the program.

Research shows it works.

100% graduate from high school on time.

83% of the Class of 2024 teens enrolled in a postsecondary education or training option during the fall of 2024.

Recent research on the long-term impact of Wyman Leaders for 500 alumni shows that participants enroll in and complete postsecondary education at rates that exceed youth with similar socioeconomic backgrounds.

A 2018 study of the program showed the positive impact the program has on college achievement and retention, specifically at Missouri State University – 95% of Wyman Leaders students returned for their second semester of college compared to 79% of students not in the program.

View our Wyman Leaders Logic Model →

graphic representing Wyman's Class of 2024 graduation rate

View all program outcomes →

Wyman always brings out the best in people. When you first come to Wyman, it’s a transition from being a kid to a young adult. And it’s challenging to maneuver through that; to have these emotional, physical, and mental developments. But Wyman knows what they’re doing.
– Demesha, Wyman alum

Did you know?

Wyman Leaders is being redesigned! This program is more than 20 years old, and we are undertaking this exciting work to ensure it continues to be impactful and responsive to the needs of teens. Check back with Wyman throughout 2025 for updates!