Higher Achievement
DC Metro
Higher Achievement is a place of joy and connection, rigor and high expectations, exploration and big dreams.
Where Talent Meets Opportunity
Higher Achievement’s afterschool program for 6th through 8th-grade scholars combines academic enrichment with social-emotional skill building, culminating in placement in college preparatory high schools.
Scholars participate in learning blocks to complete homework and work on high school applications, build relationships and high school readiness skills with a weekly mentor, practice social-emotional skill-building during gathering times and community meetings, explore new interests through electives, and take part in field trips throughout the year.
Our Centers
DC Metro Main Office
317 8th Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 544-3633
Email: info@higherachievement.org
Eliot-Hine Achievement Center
Eliot-Hine Middle School
1830 Constitution Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20002
Ida B. Wells Achievement Center
Ida B. Wells Middle School
405 Sheridan St NW
Washington, DC 20011
Kelly Miller Achievement Center
Kelly Miller Middle School
301 49th Street NE
Washington, DC 20019
Brookland Achievement Center
Brookland Middle School
1150 Michigan Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20017
Greenbelt Achievement Center
Greenbelt Middle School
6301 Breezewood Drive
Greenbelt, MD 20070
Achievement Prep Achievement Center
Achievement Preparatory Academy
908 Wahler Pl SE
Washington, DC 20032
Our Scholars
Higher Achievement scholars are driven and talented. They dedicate over 300 hours per year to Higher Achievement, strengthening their academic skills, building their confidence, and exploring their passions.
We match their commitment with dedicated staff, supportive mentors, and joyful learning experiences to support their development.
“Higher Achievement encourages you and helps you push your hardest. It shows you so many opportunities. It makes me wonder: ‘What else can I do in life?’”
Samir,
Kelly Miller Scholar
“Higher Achievement not only prepared me academically but also helped me overcome my anxiety. With each step, I gained confidence and learned that I can handle challenges and fears.”
Isaiah,
Brookland Scholar
“Higher Achievement is a program that gives you opportunities and helps you prepare for the future. It gives you everything you need to succeed”
Jordan,
Kelly Miller Scholar
Rigor. Relationships. Results.
Higher Achievement is where talent and opportunity meet to launch lifelong success. Scholars make academic gains while building the social-emotional skills that are critical for success in high school and beyond.
260+
scholars supported
across our DC Metro Achievement Centers
77%
of scholars maintain an A or B or improve a letter grade in English
75%
of scholars maintain an A or B or improve a letter grade in Math
94%
of scholars were accepted to at least one of the high schools or programs to which they applied
Supporter Spotlight
Community is at the heart of our work. Higher Achievement is honored to work with partners who share our commitment to seeing, supporting, and caring for every single scholar.
There are plenty of ways to get involved, from mentoring and joining the Advisory Board, to hosting a career day and donating financially.
What We’re Up To
Save the date for Going Places 2026!
Higher Achievement`s Going Places annual fundraiser celebrates the talents of our scholars and honors the contributions of our community. Our scholars are driven and brilliant — and right now, we have a critical opportunity to scale our proven program to meet them at one of the most pivotal moments of their development.
Join us in celebrating our scholars and be part of investing in their bright futures!
We`re hiring! 🎓
Higher Achievement is looking for passionate, people-first educators to join our afterschool team this fall:
Center Lead – $25/hr | Mon–Thu, 3:30–6:30 PM
Facilitate learning blocks, electives, and community meetings for middle school scholars. A great fit for current college students or those with at least 3 years of structured youth work experience.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for both roles.
Both positions offer paid training, consistent afterschool hours, and the chance to make a direct, visible impact on scholars during a critical stage of their development.
We believe talent is everywhere — but opportunity is not. If you`re ready to help expand opportunities, we`d love to hear from you.
🔗 Apply now: https://lnkd.in/e2pwHBeu
Thank you to @studio_Alliance_ for hosting our scholars on an incredible field trip! Scholars toured the Studio Alliance office, learned about architecture, enjoyed lunch, and participated in a hands-on learning project.
Scholars were introduced to the phases of design projects and were split into teams to create their own design board. Each team`s design concept was centered on a different fruit 🥝🍍🍉🫐. Scholars flexed their creative muscles, envisioning building concepts that aligned with their fruit of choice.
Opportunities like these expand our scholars` horizons and expose them to new career paths and interests. We are grateful to our community partners and supporters who make these experiences possible!
Our CEO Lynsey Wood Jeffries hit the airwaves! 📻✨
She recently sat down with @iheartradio @washfm`s Community DC to share the story of Higher Achievement — how we`re closing the opportunity gap for middle schoolers in under-resourced communities, one mentor-mentee relationship at a time.
Head to the link in our bio to listen to the full segment. 🎙️
Rising 9th graders + families: join us TONIGHT or this Thursday at 6 p.m. for an information session for our 9th Grade Bridge Retreat!
Virtual meeting link in bio 👆
At our annual Green Apples graduation ceremony, we celebrated our 8th-grade scholars` accomplishments, honored our dedicated mentors, experienced the talents of scholar poets, and heard from an alum of the program.
Each year, Higher Achievement selects one outstanding 8th-grade scholar to receive our "Maureen Holla Award." This year`s award winner, Angie, shared the impact of her time in the program:
"Higher Achievement gave me self-confidence. It helped me discover a part of myself I never knew I had…. Higher Achievement has and still is preparing me for my future. The program overall built the person I am today and I`m so grateful they did. I realized I wasn’t alone anymore. This time, I knew I belonged right here in Higher Achievement.”
Congratulations to the Class of 2026 — we are cheering you on always!
Wells Achievement Center scholars recently visited The Bonifant senior apartment community in Silver Spring for a service-learning field trip.
Scholars spent time connecting with senior residents by playing games, serving ice cream, and listening to their stories. Scholars and residents experienced meaningful connections throughout the day. Scholars Madison, Zoe, and Kendall created drawings for residents, and another scholar, Chadwin, concentrated deeply during his game of checkers with a resident.
Big shoutout to Ms. Tammy, one of Wells` Center Leads, for coordinating this experience! This trip was a great example of our scholars striving for excellence and showing the power of community by putting others first.
Jordan Dowtin-Dorsey`s earliest memory of building community outside of her family began at Higher Achievement. "That experience changed my trajectory in life in so many ways,” reflects Jordan.
Higher Achievement offered Jordan tools to manage her emotions, form friendships, and dream big. “Being part of Higher Achievement changed how I perceived my abilities. It gave me the tenacity and confidence to go after what I wanted.”
After earning her degree in Neuroscience and a Master of Biomedical Studies from Drexel University, Jordan is now teaching a STEM elective at an elementary school in Anacostia while pursuing her goal of attending medical school. Before that next chapter begins, she`s giving back as a Higher Achievement mentor, helping to build the community that meant so much to her as a scholar.
"Everything I am able to do now is because people poured into me. Higher Achievement poured into me. I come every single week to mentor to pass that on to the next person."
Read Jordan`s full story on our blog (link in bio!).
