EARLY CHILDHOOD: THE KEY TO REDUCING THE DROPOUT RATE The Foundation develops and supports innovative initiatives that help young children from disadvantaged communities “learn how to learn,” with an emphasis on group-based methods. Under our flagship project, A violin can change the world, children take intensive violin lessons in small groups as part of the required curriculum at school. The four-year program, designed for children ages four to eight, accelerates development of many core learning skills that students need to build knowledge efficiently—and helps prevent them from dropping out later. The program also gives the children and their families a powerful opportunity to discover the world of classical music.