History

Established in 1989, High Jump has continued to advance its mission, close the education opportunity gap in Chicago, and enhance students' long-term academic success.

Take a look at the timeline below to learn more about High Jump's history.

  • 1989

    High Jump was established at the Latin School of Chicago in collaboration with Francis W. Parker School and with funding from the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation.

    16 students were enrolled in its first cohort.

  • 1994

    High Jump's cohort size increases to 40 students.

  • High Jump Chicago

    2000

    High Jump's curriculum is enhanced with additional courses.

    High Jump graduates matriculate to more than 40 different public, parochial, independent day and boarding schools.

  • 2002

    High Jump obtains a $75,000 challenge grant from Kenny's Kids to increase cohort size to 65 students.

  • 2006

    Michelle Obama serves as Honorary Chair for High Jump's Thought Leadership Luncheon.

  • 2008

    High Jump becomes a founding member of National Partnership for Educational Access (NPEA)

  • 2010

    High Jump creates pilot program for sixth graders.

  • Parker

    2012

    Second High Jump campus opens: The Francis W. Parker School

  • 2013

    High Jump serves 280 students.

  • 2014

    Third High Jump campus opens: The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools.

  • 2015

    High Jump launches its alumni program to support students through high school.

  • 2016

    High Jump serves 360 High Jump students annually in addition to over 360 High Jump alumni in high schools in Chicago and across the country.

  • 2017

    High Jump receives nearly 1.000 sixth grade applications to be part of the program - a record for the organization and double the amount of applications received in previous years.

  • Students studying at a table

    2018

    High Jump accepts its largest cohort of 192 seventh grade students.