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
🌟Alumni Spotlight!🌟
Oluwatunmise “Aph” Ogunbanjo found community, confidence, and opportunity at Higher Achievement, experiences that continue to shape her path today.
Evenings at Higher Achievement centered on connection. "The only independent activity was study hall,” remembers Aph. “Everything else was working with others, one-on-one or in a team.” Aph and her peers built community and confidence through collaborative activities like constructing a tower out of dried spaghetti, establishing culture teams and chants, and competing in group tournaments like “Olympics of the Mind.”
Aph credits Higher Achievement with helping her pursue challenging opportunities, particularly as she explored high school options.
“Higher Achievement was the first experience I had with realizing I should go after opportunities, even if I didn`t have full confidence yet. I love art, and my mentor and Mr. Mike encouraged me to apply for an art program at Northwestern High School. I didn`t think I was good enough to get in, but I got accepted. It was the first experience I had realizing that I should go after opportunities, even if I don`t think I have the skills.”
That growth mindset guided Aph through high school, and now into college as she starts her freshman year at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
“I take a lot of pride in being a Higher Achievement alumni because Higher Achievement is such a great organization. Higher Achievement was more than a study program or afterschool program, it`s a community that you`re forever a part of. I want to give back because of how much they played a part in helping me during middle school.”
Read more on our blog (link in bio!)
Mentors make a DIFFERENCE! In just one hour a week, you can:
🎓Empower scholars to identify their talents and pursue their dreams.
💼Broaden your professional skillset.
👥Build lasting relationships.
🧑🏫Connect with talented youth in your community.
💪Help scholars build confidence in their abilities.
Learn more about becoming a mentor at the link in our bio.
We are beyond grateful to @Target for selecting @HigherAchievement.DCMetro as the community-based organization to participate in its Back-to-School Supply Drive!
Through this incredible opportunity, 75 Higher Achievement scholars and their families received backpacks filled with school supplies, along with $100 Target gift cards to support their back-to-school shopping.
Opportunities like this make a meaningful difference for our scholars and families. As we prepare for a new school year, we want to ensure that every scholar has the resources they need to walk into the classroom feeling confident, prepared, and ready to succeed.
Thank you, Target, for your partnership and for investing in our scholars and families. We are so grateful for your support and for helping our community start the school year strong!
#HigherAchievement #BackToSchool #CommunityPartnership #Education #DCMetro
Longtime Higher Achievement mentor Ms. Sandy understands the important support role mentoring plays in a student’s life.
“Our scholars have teachers at school, and I’m not their teacher,” says Ms. Sandy. “I feel like what I bring to the table is an opportunity to share advice, be present, and be a sounding board for scholars.”
Ms. Sandy strives to create a space where young people feel seen, supported, and valued. Her scholars know they can count on her to be there for them, week after week, and year after year.
Ms. Sandy recognizes that mentors do not always get to see the full impact of their efforts, but she thinks of mentoring as an act of planting seeds. “We may never see how, or if, that seed blossoms. We just have to hope that at some point it continues to be nurtured.”
After years of mentoring, she knows that those seeds matter. Former scholars return to share their achievements, reach out to stay connected, and reflect on lessons they continue to carry with them.
When mentors like Ms. Sandy make a commitment to show up, to listen, and to encourage, the seeds they plant take root and flourish.
Read more about Ms. Sandy`s mentoring experience, and apply to become a mentor yourself, on our website (link in bio).
Higher Achievement recently hosted a new opportunity for rising 9th graders: the 9th Grade Bridge Retreat, a three-day experience bringing together scholars from DC, Baltimore, and Richmond at @AmericanUniversity.
During workshops, scholars practiced algebra skills, completed a literary analysis of Romeo and Juliet, heard from a panel of Higher Achievement alumni and @osse.dc Superintendent of Education, Dr. Mitchell, explored problem-solving skills for real-world scenarios in high school, and identified capabilities and interests that would serve them in the next chapter of their educational journey.
Scholars left the retreat ready for the transition to high school, and with a glimpse into the college experience. Scholars toured campus, spent the night in dorms, and built connections with students from other schools and cities.
We are grateful for the community partners, alumni, staff, and supporters who made this experience possible for scholars! Thank you to @AmericanUniversity, @PodiumRVA, @SparkJourneyDC, @PartnershipfortheFuture, @CollegeTrack, @osse.dc, and all of our alumni panelists and workshop facilitators.
Do you believe in the power and potential of young people? Than you have what it takes to be a mentor!
Mentors offer encouragement, guidance, and tools that help middle school scholars build confidence in their abilities and prepare them for a bright future.
Consider giving just one hour a week as a volunteer mentor. Your life, and the lives of your scholars, will be changed.
Learn more and apply using the link in our bio!
Nearly 100 Higher Achievement scholars recently had the opportunity to visit @AmericanUniversity for a day of learning, exploration, and inspiration.
Scholars toured campus, engaged with professors, experienced campus life by eating in the dining hall, and participated in an outstanding panel featuring seven current AU students. During the discussion, scholars learned about each student`s academic journey, why they chose American University, what they`re studying, and the steps middle school students can take now to prepare for college. Following the panel, scholars connected one-on-one with students, asking thoughtful follow up questions and hearing firsthand about the college experience.
Experiences like these are incredibly meaningful. They help scholars envision themselves on a college campus, expand their understanding of what`s possible, and connect their hard work today to future opportunities. Seeing and hearing real stories from current college students makes higher education feel tangible and achievable.
A huge thank you to American University for opening your campus, sharing your time, and investing in the next generation.
Consider becoming a volunteer mentor this upcoming school year!
Mentors work with a small group of middle school scholars as they explore high school, college, and career options, and support them in taking steps to access those options.
Higher Achievement’s mentors are key partners to our scholars’ success. In just one hour a week, they empower scholars to identify their talents and pursue their dreams, and build lasting relationships.
Learn more and apply using the link in our bio!
