Alumni Spotlight: Aji, Cohort 20

November 16, 2023 / Comments Off on Alumni Spotlight: Aji, Cohort 20

Since childhood, Aji has had an incredibly active mind – always searching for outlets to explore his interests, expand his horizons, and engage with his community. When he started middle school in 2007 however, he was itching for an outlet for his energy; then, he got a letter from High Jump. By the time he…

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Alumni Spotlight: Rebekah, Cohort 11

October 2, 2023 / Comments Off on Alumni Spotlight: Rebekah, Cohort 11

When Rebekah joined High Jump as a 7th grader back in 1999, she was already a precocious, confident student who loved nothing more than reading a good book and bugging her dad to do math for fun. In the last two decades since her time at High Jump, Rebekah has soared academically – she was…

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Alumni Get College Prep with The Krupnick Approach

July 24, 2023 / Comments Off on Alumni Get College Prep with The Krupnick Approach

One of the pillars of High Jump is ensuring that our Scholars are not just prepared to thrive while they are in the program during middle school, but that they will continue to thrive during high school, college, and beyond. We are committed to supporting our scholars through every waypoint along their educational journeys, and…

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The Rippling Impact of High Jump 

June 20, 2023 / Comments Off on The Rippling Impact of High Jump 

Over the past 35 years, High Jump has impacted the lives of over 2,900 alums. Beyond middle school, beyond high school, and even beyond college, High Jump sets our scholars up to thrive for the rest of their lives. Because of that, the impact of High Jump doesn’t just end with our alumni themselves; as…

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Thriving in Middle School and Beyond

June 8, 2023 / Comments Off on Thriving in Middle School and Beyond

When a scholar begins their High Jump journeys in the summer after 6th grade, the idea of being in high school can feel worlds away. For many students, the most pressing things are the here and now of middle school and the daunting high school application process. And over the course of two years, High…

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The Lasting Impact of High Jump

June 13, 2022 / Comments Off on The Lasting Impact of High Jump
Teacher and students in a classroom

After hearing from two students and a teaching assistant currently in High Jump, we want to share with you once again the real and powerful impact of the program as told from the perspective of students who went through it. But this time, we wanted you to hear from two of our alumni who graduated…

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Vision of the future of High Jump

June 8, 2022 / Comments Off on Vision of the future of High Jump

For over 30 years, High Jump has changed the lives of more than 2,500 middle school students in Chicago. While our first cohort in 1989 had just 16 students enrolled, High Jump has grown over the years and now serves more than 285 new students each year through our programs.  After three decades of honing…

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Xiomara (High Jump Cohort 19) on #MyPathToGoogle

June 23, 2021 / Comments Off on Xiomara (High Jump Cohort 19) on #MyPathToGoogle

In the latest #MyPathToGoogle product marketing manager, Xiomara Contreras, shares her best career tips and insights on what it’s like to find a role at the intersection of social justice issues, education, youth mentorship, and tech.

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What They Carry with Them

June 15, 2021 / Comments Off on What They Carry with Them

You wouldn’t be wrong in describing High Jump as an academic program, but time and time again, our students tell us that it’s more than that.  While not the program’s primary goal, community, and long-lasting friendships are just a couple of the added benefits that alumni proclaim. Extended support and networking opportunities with others who…

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Moving Up! and on to New Things

June 14, 2021 / Comments Off on Moving Up! and on to New Things
students at moving up ceremony | High Jump Chicago

Moving Up is the culmination of two years of hard work for students ready to embark on their high school journey. Cohort 31 began the program in 2019, the summer following their 6th-grade year. After putting in the 700 hours of challenging but rewarding work, 157 students graduated from the program this year. Held at…

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