6 Questions with High Jump 8th Grade Students
Over the past three decades High Jump has provided over 3,000 academically ambitious middle schoolers of limited economic means with the right resources at the right time, empowering them to thrive in high school, college, and beyond. As the first step of carving out that path to the future, High Jump helps 8th grade scholars with the process of applying to, selecting, and ultimately attending their high schools of choice by providing:
- 30 hours of a dedicated High School Choice class for each student and an additional 30 hours of individualized out-of-class time for families so they can collectively make the family decision of high school choice
- Extensive admissions education, financial aid counseling, exam prep seminars and test fee-coverage for taking two high school entrance exams
- A high school fair with representatives from over 50 high schools across the country, as well as Mock Interviews to practice ahead of their admissions interviews
- And finally, a high school choice retreat to help students and families make that final decision
We believe that the best way to really understand High Jump’s impact is to hear from our scholars directly! Here’s what three High Jump 8th graders had to say about their journeys in their final year of High Jump before they make the leap to high school.
Rizqi
What does High Jump mean to you?
“High Jump means to me as a way to learn outside of my school. To understand more topics and to meet new people.”
What is your favorite thing about High Jump?
“My favorite thing about High Jump is my friends, and I find them a really relaxing way to de-stress and not think about homework and such.”
What new interests have you discovered at High Jump?
“Over the summer we learned about topics like gravity and Newton’s Laws of Motion. And with that we actually did a really cool egg drop. Labs like that make it more understandable.”
How has High Jump helped you in your high school application process?
“High Jump has this elective which is called high school choice which really helps us 8th graders understand the process. So far, the teachers have provided us with different scholarships to apply to, and have offered recommendation letters for us, which will be really helpful in the future.”
How has High Jump supported you in choosing a high school?
“High Jump has helped me realize that my dream high school would have an array of different topics and electives and AP classes.”
How has your vision for yourself changed since you started at High Jump?
“In the beginning of High Jump, I’d say I was less confident and less out-going. But High Jump has given me confidence and hope for high school, college, and the future.”
Trisen
What does High Jump mean to you?
“It’s a place where you can form new bonds and relationships with people from all over the city, and you get to figure out what you want to be in life.”
What is your favorite thing about High Jump?
“One of the things that I like about High Jump are the teaching assistants. They went through the program too, and they talk to you like, if you need help in other subjects, you feel comfortable talking to them and they can really help you.”
What new interests have you discovered at High Jump?
“One thing that I really like is math, and so the math course was fun because you learn stuff at High Jump that you wouldn’t learn at your regular school. Like slope – I learned that at High Jump before I learned it at school.”
How has High Jump helped you in your high school application process?
“During the summer, we got a book that will help us with the high school assessment test, and so I’m glad I got the resources from High Jump to help me with that.”
How has High Jump supported you in choosing a high school?
“I have a lot of opportunities and options and High Jump has helped me on the test coming up. I hope I can do well so I can score into some of those selective enrollment schools. But I think boarding school is an option as well.”
How has your vision for yourself changed since you started at High Jump?
“My vision is to give back like some of the leaders in my community do. I want to also change the narrative for Black men, and I want them to be someone who can be a leader.”
Ariana
What does High Jump mean to you?
“High Jump is like a second home to me. It’s somewhere where I feel comfortable and where I can be myself.”
What is your favorite thing about High Jump?
“Well, High Jump has given me the opportunity to help me realize what represents me and what my identity is.”
What new interests have you discovered at High Jump?
“High Jump has made me realize how we should focus on the issues that are surrounding us instead of just thinking about ourselves.”
How has High Jump helped you in your high school application process?
“The high school choice teacher is someone who will help you direct your path, and she’s very supportive in helping you out.”
How has High Jump supported you in choosing a high school?
“My current goal right now is to try to find a high school that best fits me. I really want a high school where there is diversity.”
How has your vision for yourself changed since you started at High Jump?
“High Jump helped me realize that there are different paths you can take, but there’s always one path that you always want to follow, and that’s what makes me unique.”
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