Higher Achievement

Mentoring matters. When reflecting on her Higher Achievement experience, Greenbelt scholar Addisen shared, "Someone I have met who has changed my life for the better would have to be my mentor Mr. Jerry. He has been the best mentor and I could not have made it through middle school without venting and receiving help from him.” Mentors are partners in our scholars' success. Their guidance and encouragement have a lasting impact. Don't miss the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a middle school student as a Higher Achievement mentor. Mentors volunteer one hour per week for the duration of the school year. No experience is needed and all training and materials are provided. Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/eN8yMu3w

Cyniah Wynn, a recent college grad and Higher Achievement alum, returned this year to her former Ward 8 Achievement Center – this time as a mentor. “I always liked the program,” says Cyniah. “I loved going to Higher Achievement and I loved my mentor. I wanted to be that person for someone else.” Ms. Cyniah worked with a group of three 5th-grade scholars—Adreanna, Kamone, and Maci—who met weekly for mentoring. “We talk about homework, how we feel, and how school is going,” says Kamone. Ms. Cyniah made a point to open their time with intentional relationship-building before diving into the lessons. “We talk about how our day has been, what’s been going on,” says Adreanna. It’s been meaningful for Cyniah to return to Higher Achievement and take her journey full circle from scholar to mentor. “The fact that I wanted to come back to Higher Achievement after middle school speaks to its impact. I joined Higher Achievement because I appreciated my mentors and created lasting bonds with them. I’m 21 now and still keep in touch with them!” Mentors like Ms. Cyniah play a profound role in nurturing the next generation of scholars as they develop their talents and gain confidence in their abilities. Read more on our blog and find out more about how you can make a difference as a mentor: https://lnkd.in/eQD-b-ez

#Mentoring is a cornerstone of Higher Achievement's academic and social-emotional support. Mentors build lasting connections with scholars while providing encouragement and tools to help scholars succeed in high school and beyond. We're currently recruiting mentors for the 2024-2025 school year! No experience is required and training and curriculum are provided. Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/eN8yMu3w

This week, I completed another incredible school year as a Higher Achievement Mentor. The experience has been immensely rewarding, as I’ve had the privilege to watch my middle school mentees/scholars flourish and thrive. A special shout-out to my amazing partner mentor, Abby Attia, whose dedication and passion have made this journey even more impactful. Thank you, Abby, for being such an inspiring co-mentor! Middle school years are pivotal in young people’s lives, setting the trajectory for their future success. Unfortunately, due to competing personal responsibilities, I can no longer serve effectively as a mentor. However, I remain a true believer in the Higher Achievement mission and strongly encourage those in my network to consider volunteering. We are currently recruiting mentors for the 2024-2025 school year, with applications due by August 31, 2024. Check out their website to learn more: https://lnkd.in/ehXzUVkt Higher Achievement’s mentors are key partners in our scholars’ success, joining each week to make a measurable impact on young lives. Our mentors come from diverse backgrounds—college students, professionals, retirees—and share a commitment to their communities. No teaching experience is required. As a mentor, you will build lasting relationships with a small group of scholars, guiding them through academic enrichment and personal encouragement. Higher Achievement offers a supportive, collaborative environment where you can see the impact of your time and effort firsthand. Whether you’re looking to re-engage with service or get involved in your community for the first time, consider joining us. Your time can make all the difference! #HigherAchievement #Mentorship #Volunteer #CommunityImpact

The Higher Achievement DC Metro Pay It Forward Scholarship, founded by former Ward 6 Learning Director Breylon A. Smith, MPA , supports 8th-grade scholars’ academic needs as they transition to high school. Congratulations to Laila for being this year's Pay It Forward Scholarship recipient! Laila is a genuine, independent, hardworking scholar, and a leader at the Ward 8 Achievement Center.

Our Green Apple Awards celebrate the achievement of our graduating 8th graders. Last week scholars walked across the stage, donned a cap and gown, and received a certificate of completion. This fall, our new Higher Achievement DC Metro alumni will attend college preparatory high schools across the region, including School Without Walls High School, Benjamin Banneker High School, McKinley Technology High School, Columbia Heights Education Campus, and more. We are proud of their dedication and commitment and look forward to celebrating their accomplishments in high school and beyond!

Thank you to Mayer Brown for hosting an incredible field trip experience for our scholars! Scholars from Greenbelt, Brookland, and Ward 6 participated in a hands-on lesson on advocacy debate. Scholars broke into two groups to debate different school curriculum formats, with one side focused on keeping a strong academic curriculum and the other advocating for increased “practical” skills being added to school curriculum (such as car maintenance, cooking, etc). Mayer Brown’s summer associates and other colleagues served as team coaches. After the debate and a delicious lunch, we toured the Mayer Brown office seeing all of the different areas of the firm including the fitness center, print room, kitchen and café, and rooftop deck.

As DC's leaders grapple with how to address high rates of chronic absenteeism among students, they should consider the role that out-of-school time programs can play in keeping students engaged with their schools. In my latest blog for DC Action, success stories and data demonstrate that District youth who attend an afterschool or summer program are more likely to attend school regularly than their peers who don’t participate. Giving more youth access to OST opportunities could help boost school attendance.

We are grateful for our Field Day RVA sponsors who are part of the community of champions advocating for our incredible middle school scholars. Thank you to BrownGreer PLC, PwC, Tredegar Corporation, and Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP for your support! It's not too late to sign up for (or sponsor!) Field Day RVA on Saturday, June 1. Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/gmxVcQMD