Our Programs
Academic Enrichment. Social-Emotional Support. Lifelong Learning.
High Jump empowers Chicago’s middle schoolers to become well-rounded leaders through our tuition-free programs with one-of-a-kind experiences, resources, and educational support for curious and motivated 7th and 8th-grade students who want to challenge themselves academically.
What makes a student a scholar? A love of learning and a desire to seek experiences to challenge themselves socially and academically. Our students are intellectually curious and academically motivated; many are the first people in their families to attend college.
High Jump scholars graduate from our program, ready for what’s next. Our alums are lifelong learners seeking resources and opportunities to improve their lives. They advocate for themselves and their big ideas and stay connected with their High Jump peers as they grow and uplift their communities.
We support our scholars with academic enrichment, but it’s so much more. High Jump is dedicated to being there for our scholars. We provide programs and support during high school and are an ongoing resource for them through college.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Commit to two years of tuition-free academic enrichment through our Scholars or Community Scholars program.
HIGH SCHOOL
Continued academic enrichment, college counseling and readiness, and financial aid literacy for getting to and through college.
COLLEGE
Stay connected and feel supported all the way through college with our alumni support programs.
Become a High Jump Scholar
High Jump Scholars is a holistic learning program designed to help learners develop the skills they need to thrive wherever they go.
The program consists of six weeks of daily instruction in the summer and an average of two Saturdays each month during the school year. Our curriculum exposes students to culturally relevant literature, themes, rigorous math instruction, and experiential learning.
Students will join us onsite at one of our three campuses in Chicago: the Latin School of Chicago, the Francis W. Parker School, and the University of Chicago Laboratory School.
The Change-Makers of Tomorrow.
Our Scholars are discovering new passions, building confidence, and following their dreams.
6 Questions with High Jump 7th Grade Students
When we work to quantify the impact High Jump has on our students and on Chicago’s educational landscape as a whole, it’s easy for us to give big, high-level stats that show the depth and breadth of our programs: We’re proud of these stats, and even prouder to know the unique stories of every single…
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…
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…
Students Share a Glimpse of What’s Possible with High Jump
When we talk about the critical work that High Jump does and the impact that we have on the educational landscape in Chicago, there is of course the cold hard data that backs up the power and success of our work including: 87% of High Jump Scholars graduate from college (compared to 41% of all…
Learn about the Community Scholars Pilot Program
Community Scholars is a partnership with Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy and support from Chicago Public Schools and District 65 Evanston/Skokie. The program is designed to bring programming to neighborhood schools and reach more students across Chicago.
