Church Education Initiative Is Helping Youth Succeed in School

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An education initiative from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called Succeed in School is helping tens of thousands of young people ages 11 to 18 progress academically, spiritually and socially. 

Succeed in School is an after-school program that helps youth progress academically, prepare for higher education, and develop as self-reliant disciples of Jesus Christ. Succeed in School classes supplement but do not replace school. Students gather weekly in Church buildings, where volunteer teachers lead classes such as reading, writing, mathematics, exam preparation and life skills. The program is overseen by Area Presidencies and local Church leaders, and coordinated by Seminaries and Institutes of Religion employees.

Succeed in School operates in nearly 30 countries, serving approximately 30,000 students in many countries in Africa, Latin America, the Pacific and the Southwest Area of the United States.

Church leaders say that Succeed in School is a powerful way to help the rising generation increase their academic and spiritual capacity. 

“Succeed in School has a great curriculum where youth improve in secular learning, but there is also a spiritual element combined with it, which is why it succeeds,” said Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “We are seeing in many places that students’ scores on national exams have really soared. We’re helping youth succeed in the schools where they are.” 

With Succeed in School, “we’re signaling to … the youth of the Church: ‘Education matters. We care about you, and we care about learning,’” said Elder Clark G. Gilbert, Commissioner of Church Education.  

Leaders in local Seminaries and Institutes of Religion operate the program, and stake and district Church leaders decide which resources will work best in their individual areas. Volunteer teachers from local stakes teach classes in Church buildings one to four days per week. Lessons and activities are based on global curriculum standards of education. The lessons supplement core subjects and help students remain in school and prepare for higher education.  

As students improve their academic, work and life skills, they also increase their hope for the future and develop their potential for higher education, such as through BYU–Pathway Worldwide or vocational training, and employment. 

Succeed in School was recently highlighted in the Africa West Area Strengthening Families Conference.

Preparing and Growing Every Day

Succeed in School participants reported an increase in academic skills, exam passing rates and spiritual growth. Seminary enrollment also increased by 62%.  

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Jacob Omae, a returned missionary from Papau New Guinea, first joined the Succeed in School pilot program at age 13. Before then, he had struggled in school, but the program transformed his learning experience. “Succeed in School helped me find confidence, taught me how to read, do math, and become a leader,” he said.

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Mercy Oduro, a former Succeed in School participant, is currently in the MTC learning Portuguese and will be serving in the Brazil Fortaleza Mission. “One of the most important things it did for me was improve my skills in information and communication technology, which sparked my interest in the tech field. Because of that, I was able to pursue and earn a diploma in software engineering. I’m so thankful for the opportunities this program gave me and how it shaped my future.”

In the Church’s United States Southwest Area, Caleb, a recent convert to the Church, shared how Succeed in School has impacted his life: “It has helped me develop a growth mindset, succeed on my school exams and make new friends,” he said. 

While attending Succeed in School, Alexis Ahouayito, from the Republic of Benin, West Africa, learned life and study skills that helped him prepare for a mission. He read the Book of Mormon every day, studied and prayed for the Holy Spirit to be with him. He learned in the program “how to teach with the Spirit and how to teach with authority.” Now he’s Elder Ahouayito, serving as an English-speaking missionary in the Zambia Lusaka Mission. 

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His mentor, Bishop Darmande Legbanon, encouraged him to attend Succeed in School while he apprenticed at the bishop’s welding shop.

Bishop Legbanon said some of his apprentices lacked skills in French, “but now it is easier for them to read and write, do mathematical calculations, and do lots of other things,” including preparing to become successful missionaries. Succeed in School has a lot of “good things in it, and it has helped my apprentices.” 

To learn more about Succeed in School, see: 

• Succeed in School
• “Hope and Help Through Education,” August 2025 “Liahona”