In 6th grade, Oumerath joined Higher Achievement after a presentation in her class. “They told us how it helps you learn and get your homework done,” says Oumerath. “My grades weren’t bad, but I needed some extra support,” she adds.
Oumerath dove into a variety of extracurricular activities in addition to Higher Achievement during her early middle school years. “I don’t want to just get out of school and go home,” she notes. “I like trying new things.” As she progressed through middle school, she saw the value in focusing her interests. “In 6th grade I picked lots of programs, but I learned that if I stay in other programs, I don’t have enough time to dedicate to Higher Achievement. It’s taught me about time management.”
At Higher Achievement, Oumerath is able to explore varied interests and activities – all in one program. From field trips to the movies and Dave and Busters, to electives like cooking, to special programming on STEM and personal finance, Oumerath and her fellow scholars have opportunities to learn new skills and explore emerging interests. “In our cooking elective we get to make food from around the world,” says Oumerath. “And we got to make special food in February for Black History Month.”
Higher Achievement’s afterschool programming combines rigorous academic enrichment with opportunities for scholars to build critical social-emotional skills that will prepare them for the transition to high school. “I like how there’s a schedule. We get to go outside, have community meetings, electives, and fun activities,” says Oumerath. “It’s not just coming in and working – we have time for work and other things.”
This year, Oumerath and her peers attended a high school fair hosted by Higher Achievement to learn more about area high schools’ classes, extracurricular activities, and application processes. Next year, she will be attending her neighborhood high school and Higher Achievement’s high school readiness mentoring and high school fair helped her to see the opportunities at her future school. “After I went to the high school fair and did some research, it helped me feel prepared,” says Oumerath. She plans to pursue her school’s JROTC program in high school.
Oumerath is proud of the hard work she’s put into her grades this year. “Higher Achievement was on my back about doing my homework,” she says. The encouragement, paired with Oumerath’s commitment, earned her a place on her school’s honor roll.
“Your attitude determines your next steps,” declares Oumerath. There’s no doubt that Oumerath’s drive, curiosity, and determination will guide her steps to success.