Community Scholars Is Now an Official High Jump Program!

After 35 years of growing High Jump’s Scholars Program from our first cohort of 16 students to our most recent cohort of 225 students, we are so proud and excited to announce the next step of our continued growth: the formal adoption of our Community Scholars pilot as High Jump’s second ever official program! 

Community Scholars works in partnership with Chicago Public Schools to broaden the reach of High Jump’s tuition-free academic enrichment, one-of-a-kind experiences, and access to resources and educational opportunities that will help students find success wherever they go in their futures. As High Jump Chief Executive Officer notes, Community Scholars is increasing access and broadening the reach of what High Jump can do and who High Jump can reach.

“What I appreciate most about High Jump is our history of committing to the idea that educational enrichment is for everybody. Ensuring that Community Scholars is part of our future means doubling down on that commitment of opening the doors for all students. High Jump envisions a future where every child in Chicago has access to high-quality, out-of-school-time academic programs.”

Nate Pietrini, Chief Executive Officer

After launching the pilot with our first cohort in 2021, we just welcomed our 4th cohort of 34 scholars across our two partner campuses – George B. Armstrong Elementary and Phillip Rogers Fine Arts Elementary. That means that we also just celebrated the graduation of our 2nd Cohort who are now off on the next step of their educational journeys at the right high schools for each and every one of them across Chicago and across the country! At their moving up ceremony, Community Scholars Program Manager Yasi Nassiri reflected on the incredible milestone of their graduation.

“Having now graduated Cohort 2 of our Community Scholars, it has been truly amazing to witness all of our students’ accomplishments over their two years with us. Their achievements have been remarkable, from projects that showcase their unique identities and individuality to seeing them gain admission to their top choice high schools.”

Yasi Nassiri, Community Scholars Program Manager

Most importantly, the students and families of students who have gone through Community Scholars have already seen in action the incredible impact that the program can have. We recently spoke to Laily, a current student in Community Scholars, her brother Tanier, an alum of Community Scholars, and their mom, Shandiz, to see how their time in the program has, among other things, helped chart their paths for the next chapter of their academic lives.

“I think that Community Scholars really is this place to just figure yourself out, find out what you wanna do in life, find out what you wanna pursue in high school, whether it’s being on the chess team or being in the sports or studying science, I think that High Jump really exposes you and prepares you for your high school experience.”

Tanier, High Jump Community Scholars Alum, Cohort 1, Philip Rogers Elementary

“I think the keyword is exposure to new experiences. I think that really sums up our experience with High Jump Community Scholars.”

Shandiz, Parent, High Jump Community Scholars at Philip Rogers Elementary

“I think a way that High Jump has helped us with the whole high school process is by exposing us to new atmospheres and new people. And I think that’s gonna really help later when we are applying for those high schools.”

Laily, High Jump Community Scholar, Cohort 2, Philip Rogers Elementary

Community Scholars has the data to back up its success. 89% of Community Scholars students felt they received more advanced instruction than in their regular school courses, 80% of Community Scholars alums are attending one of their top 3 choice high schools, and 100% of Community Scholars families feel that their students are benefitting academically, socially, and emotionally by participating in High Jump.

The historic and continued impacts of poverty and segregation, disinvestment in schools, and complicated high school application processes have created disparate middle school experiences. Research demonstrates that middle school academic performance predicts later academic success in high school. However, gaining access to selective high schools in Chicago has become even more challenging, leading to inequities for those most vulnerable.

Scholars is just the beginning of a transformative journey in Chicago’s educational landscape. As we continue to expand to more schools across the city, we eagerly anticipate the far-reaching impact of this program.