Higher Achievement’s DC Metro affiliate opened a new Achievement Center at Greenbelt Middle School in Greenbelt, Md., on July 2, 2019. Staff, supporters, and county and school executives attended a ribbon cutting ceremony at the center to celebrate the occasion and launch Higher Achievement’s first foray into Prince George’s County.
At the event, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced from the stage that Higher Achievement was awarded a $50,000 Community Partnership Grant to support the organization’s academic enrichment programming. The event program also included remarks from Aaliyah Fatou Ba and Anthony Thompson, seventh grade students from Greenbelt Middle School who are participating in Summer Academy. They described how the classes and field trips made the Higher Achievement experience fun and engaging.
Dr. Monica Goldson, Chief Executive Officer of Prince George’s County Public Schools, also attended the ceremony.
“We are excited to partner with Higher Achievement to help improve outcomes and opportunities for more middle school students,” Dr. Goldson said. “Higher Achievement’s emphasis on both academic achievement and social emotional learning aligns with our goal of helping students prepare to meet the demands of college and careers.”
The Greenbelt Center, which is currently hosting Higher Achievement’s annual Summer Academy, will serve 60 sixth and seventh grade students and, beginning this fall, will include 30 volunteer mentors recruited from local businesses, universities, and residents. Two Prince George’s County businesses, 2U, Inc. and MGM National Harbor, are already lending their support as inaugural sponsors.
“We are so pleased to officially open the Greenbelt Achievement Center in Prince George’s county,” Thalia Washington, DC Metro’s Executive Director, said. “There is a significant need in the county for our approach to serving middle school students. Prince George’s County Public Schools is serious about investing in high quality out-of-school-time programming, and we are answering the call.”
About Higher Achievement
Higher Achievement closes the opportunity gap during the pivotal middle school years. By leveraging the power of communities, Higher Achievement’s proven model provides a rigorous year-round learning environment, caring role models, and a culture of high expectations, resulting in college-bound scholars with the character, confidence, and skills to succeed.
For more information or to join Higher Achievement as a scholar or mentor, please contact info@higherachievement.org.
To read more about Higher Achievement in Prince George’s County, see the following:
The Sentinel
The Washington Informer
Prince George’s Suite
Greenbelt News Review