High Jump

Moving Up! and on to New Things

Moving Up is the culmination of two years of hard work for students ready to embark on their high school journey.

WHAT STUDENTS ARE EXCITED ABOUT

2-Year Tuition-Free Academic Enrichment

Tuition-free Academic enrichment

High Jump is a two-year program that equalizes access to education for rising seventh graders in Chicago.

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Grant Funding Helps us Grow

Grant Funding Helps Us Grow

Grants provide long-term financial sustainability and promote continued growth and development within our organization.

READ ABOUT GRANT FUNDING

Support Students

It is now more important than ever to build equitable learning opportunities for Chicago’s middle school students.

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When High Jump Students Graduate

College Prep H.S. acceptance

When High Jump students graduate they go on to attend rigorous college prep high schools in Chicago and across the country.

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Gift of High Jump

Give the Gift of High Jump

Give the gift that gives back!

MAKE MY GIFT

Since 1989,

Lasting Impact Since 1989

High Jump has been providing students with academic enrichment, social-emotional learning skills and high school application support.

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Tour High Jump Classes

Tour HIgh Jump Classes

See what students learn at High Jump through our virtual tour.

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Apply to High Jump

OUR STUDENTS DREAM HIGH.

High Jump invests in the next generation of leaders, giving them the opportunities, resources and connections they need to achieve what they want. Think you have what it takes? We know you do.

APPLY TO BE A SCHOLAR

What is High Jump?

High Jump equalizes access to education for Chicago middle school students who have exhibited academic ambition and potential and who are of limited economic means.

We provide tuition-free academic enrichment, counseling and support to students of diverse backgrounds, with the goals of sending our participants to superior college preparatory schools, ensuring their success while they are there, and enhancing their ability to gain admission to highly regarded four-year colleges and universities.

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Current Students

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Alumni

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of Advanced Classes

Our Services

High Jump provides a unique experience for students to reach their academic potential.

a classroom of students poses and gives thumbs up | High Jump Chicago

Year-Round Academic Enrichment

This FREE program consists of six weeks of intensive daily instruction in the summer and two Saturdays each month during the school year.
High School Choice Support

During eighth grade, High Jump provides support to students and their families for high school admissions, financial aid and scholarships.
Field Trips and Outdoor Retreat

Student field trips include visits to The Art Institute, Chicago History Museum, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and The Steppenwolf Theatre and more, as well as an outdoor overnight retreat to the Lorado Taft Camp (a student favorite!).
Meals Provided

For each day of programming, students receive free nutritious meals for breakfast and lunch.
Dedicated Faculty

High Jump teachers are professional educators who teach in a variety of public and private schools and colleges throughout Chicago. They take a hands-on, interactive, exploratory, and project based approach to teaching.
Free High School Admissions Exams

As part of the high school choice support, eighth grade students have the opportunity to take the Boarding School Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) and Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) at no expense to the student's family.

Our Students

In 2019, High Jump students and alumni accomplished the following:

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Matriculated to top college prep high schools

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Matriculated to four-year colleges and universities

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of High Jump students will be the first in their families to attend college

Our Impact

High Jump is the first step to success.

After High Jump, our students go on to attend top high schools and colleges in Chicago and across the country and graduate from college at a higher rate than their peers.

4-Year College Completion Rates

*within six years of high school completion

†within eight years of high school completion

High Jump alumni Cohorts 18-20*

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All Americans 25 years or older

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All low-income students nationally†

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All academically strong low-income students nationally†

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Our Alumni

Read about some of our amazing alumni and what they’re doing now.

Michelle

Cohort 18

University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

University of Michigan

“High Jump equipped me with the skills to be successful as a learner, a leader and a person.”

Ken

Cohort 1

The Latin School of Chicago

Michigan State University

“I loved High Jump from the very beginning because it allowed me to use the energy I had been using for survival to work hard and succeed academically.”

Roman

Cohort 23

Lincoln Park High School, IB Program

Pomona College

“Thanks to High Jump, my future is brighter than ever.”

Nick

Cohort 6

Brother Rice High School

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

“From the curriculum to the friendships established, I always tell anyone who asks that the foundation for my success was High Jump.”

DJ

Cohort 21

Francis W. Parker School

University of Chicago

“High Jump helped me pave the way to success and made my dream of going to a top high school a reality.”

Xiomara

Cohort 19

Concord Academy

Northwestern University

“High Jump believed in my intelligence and taught me about the world beyond my own.”

Maria

Cohort 22

Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center

Harvard University

“High Jump was a foundation for everything I’ve accomplished now and everything I will accomplish in the future. I wouldn’t have taken opportunities or risks if it wasn’t for the program.”