Alumni
The Lasting Impact of High Jump
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…
Read MoreVision 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…
Read MoreXiomara (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.
Read MoreWhat 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…
Read MoreMoving 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. 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…
Read MoreAlumni Spotlight: Jessica
Jessica is a High Jump alumna who was part of Cohort 22. “As I’ve grown up, I’ve realized how lucky I was to be part of High Jump. It was the beginning of where everything has happened for me. It’s where I learned the tools I still use today, and it’s where I found a…
Read MoreAlumni Spotlight: Derrick
Cohort 22 alumnus Derrick grew up in Hyde Park with a mother who always taught him to value education and to constantly search for ways to move forward. When they learned about High Jump, they knew it was an opportunity for Derrick to receive the academic rigor he wasn’t getting at school. “High Jump was…
Read MoreUPenn Freshman and Author, I’deyah
University of Pennsylvania freshman I’deyah was interviewed this past summer on ABC 7’s Chicago Graduation 2020 Special “The After Party.” Watch her full interview here. I’deyah has long used her talents to inspire other kids. At just seven years old, she published her first book to help budding authors find their voices through writing. “I…
Read MoreHigh Jump Alumna and TA, Caroline
Caroline is a High Jump alumna and a junior at the Latin School, which is where her own Teaching Assistants (TAs) attended when Caroline was enrolled at High Jump. “My TAs went to Latin and I looked up to them a lot,” she says. “I guess I did end up following in their footsteps!” This…
Read MoreHigh Jump Alumnus and Board of Directors Member in The Executives’ Club of Chicago Member Spotlight
Featured by The Executives’ Club of Chicago in their Member Spotlight, John Akalaonu is Senior Vice President, Customer Delivery of CDK Global. He is also an active member of our Board of Directors and an alumnus of High Jump (Cohort 4). Born and raised in Chicago, John attended high school at Culver Academies following his…
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