When cyclists race together, they create a ‘peloton’ or group that is able to defy headwinds. Riders travel much faster as a team than alone. PelotonU provides working adults in Austin the pathway and support to earn their college degree on-time and debt-free. They provide the flexibility and support that working adults need by blending high-quality online education with in-person coaching.
The launch of their eagerly anticipated East site on August 3rd went very smoothly, and they are so happy with the student space that they were able to create at the MLK Open Door location. Six students are currently enrolled at East, with a total of 10 children between them. They are in the process of onboarding two more students and will continue to actively recruit and enroll students until they have maxed out their childcare capacity.
Although their sample size is smaller than expected, it is mighty. Of the six students that regularly utilize the East site, 100% are on track to graduate on-time. This is even more impressive considering they will all be the first in their families to graduate from college.
Parents and children alike are enjoying the space. One of the moms expressed that her son asks her every day if they can go to “babies and toys,” and another told them that her two children love going to the site so much that she uses it as a reward for good behavior! In addition to the high quality of care provided by Open Door, parents appreciate that they can work on school, distraction-free, while still being in close proximity to their children. They also love the tight-knit community that has developed there. “There are other people around me that are working and motivating me to work,” one student said. “There is always someone there to help.”
They have gained a lot of valuable insight around how to best support parenting students throughout this process and will use it to continue enhancing their support at the East site in 2020. At the end of the day, PelotonU is thrilled to see that their model gives parenting students the flexibility, support, and confidence to pursue their degrees. As one of the moms put it - “as a single mother, I need this.”
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