Our Program Model
Higher Achievement’s high-impact afterschool academic enrichment program runs from September through May, from approximately 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Our program model combines academic enrichment with social-emotional skill building, culminating in placement in college preparatory high schools.
Program Elements
Academic Enrichment and Homework Support:
Daily learning blocks offer academic enrichment that sharpens scholars’ reading comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, critical thinking, and writing and presentation skills while giving them time to complete homework.
Social-Emotional Skill Building:
During mentoring, gathering time, and community meetings, scholars develop leadership skills and build social-emotional learning (SEL) skills focused on positive relationships, responsible decision-making, and self-management.
Mentoring for High School Readiness:
Scholars work with a mentor weekly to define and pursue their personal and educational goals, gain awareness of high school, college, and career options, and take steps to access those options.
Electives:
Each week, scholars explore new and emerging interests through electives. Electives have included cooking, ASL, drumming, STEM, yoga, cosmetology, poetry, sports, and more.
Field Trips:
Throughout the year, scholars step outside of Center to experience fun and educational opportunities. Field trips have included visits to skating rinks, museums and cultural sites, sporting events, theater performances, bowling alleys, local parks, and career days at local businesses.
College Visits:
Every summer, scholars tour a college campus and begin to envision exciting options for their futures. College visits have included tours of Temple University, Bowie State University, the University of Maryland, James Madison University, and Howard University.
An Evening at Higher Achievement
Evenings at Higher Achievement are filled with energy—with scholars finding their voice, strengthening their talents, and pursuing their passions. A typical evening looks like this:
| 3:30 p.m. | Scholars Arrive |
| 3:30-4:00 p.m. | Dinner and Recess |
| 4:00-5:00 p.m. | Learning Block |
| 5:00-5:30 p.m. | Community Meeting or Elective |
| 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Mentoring |
| 6:30 p.m. | Dismissal |
Why Middle School?
We believe in the power and promise of middle school. It is a time of growth, opportunities, possibilities, and significant brain development.
Middle schoolers are forming their sense of self. They are building skills and confidence in their abilities. They are developing critical thinking skills and navigating significant academic and social transitions.
Middle school academic performance—specifically grades, attendance, and behavior—is a strong, often overlooked, predictor of high school and college success. We are committed to nurturing our scholars’ academic and social development during these pivotal years so they can go on to pursue their biggest ambitions in high school and beyond.
High School Transition
Our support doesn’t end in 8th grade. The transition from middle to high school is among the most critical in students’ academic careers. Families are navigating complex systems, students are preparing for major academic and social shifts, and the decisions made during this time can shape long-term opportunities. Our high school transition programming intentionally supports scholars and families as they navigate this transition.
Family Navigator Sessions
Navigator sessions help create clarity, confidence, and direction for 7th-grade students and families navigating a complex high school landscape. Participants leave with information and resources to make informed decisions about their best-fit school.
9th Grade Bridge Retreats
9th Grade Bridge Retreats are multi-day learning experiences designed to help scholars enter high school equipped with the tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed.