Creating Hope and Fulfilling Dreams

Recently, Zak, a 7th-grader from High Jump’s 36th Cohort, sat down with Eleanor Nicholson, Co-Founder of High Jump to talk about High Jump. 

High Jump is a two-year tuition-free academic enrichment program for kids who are curious and want to learn. The program helps prepare students academically, gives them a sense of community, and gets them ready for more challenging high schools. 

Being greeted at High Jump with a smile created a welcoming environment where Zak could thrive, and High Jump’s 16:1 student-to-teacher ratio provides a sense of community where students feel valued and heard. Zak shared, “The work I’m completing is meaningful. I don’t feel like I’m doing busywork. So I feel like that’s prepared me just for life in general. It’s made me a lifelong learner.”

When Eleanor co-founded High Jump 35 years ago, she never dreamed it would become what it has today. Today, more than 3,000 students have already completed the program, and every year, 250 more students like Zak, are getting ahead and feeling more prepared for high school.

High Jump matters to students, their families, and their communities. We hope it matters to you too. Watch the video to hear more of Zak and Eleanor’s conversation and consider making a gift to keep the curiosity going for more students like Zak.  

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