Causes: Children & Youth, Education, Educational Services, Elementary & Secondary Schools, Literacy, Scholarships, Scholarships & Student Financial Aid, Youth Development Programs

Mission: Our mission at Aim High is to create life-changing opportunities during the summer and beyond. Our community:NURTURES the promise and potential of middle school students from low-income neighborhoods. PREPARES students for high school setting them on the path to college and future success. INSPIRES the next generation of teachers and educational leaders. Our vision is to close the opportunity and achievement gaps in Northern California through our transformational summer learning program. We envision every middle school student having access to joyful summer learning, inspired and innovative teachers, and the support they need to succeed in school and life.

Results: Through high-quality summer enrichment programs, Aim High has touched the lives of thousands of low-income youth in the Bay Area, and continues to employ a diverse group of teachers - 76% of whom are people of color. Aim High's impact is significant:98% Aim High alumni graduate from high school on time vs. 76% of low-income students nationally98% Aim High alumni enroll in college vs. 52% of low-income students nationally82% of students feel more confident about doing schoolwork next year83% of students showed improvement in reading, writing, and science88% of students feel like they understand how to make positive life choices90% of students made new friends at Aim High90% of parents feel their child is better prepared for school in the fall

Target demographics: Bay Area middle school youth from Low-income neighborhoods

Direct beneficiaries per year: 2022: 1,600 students served at 16 campuses

Geographic areas served: San Francisco, Oakland, Richmond, Redwood City, East Palo Alto, San Rafael, Novato, Napa and Tahoe/Truckee, CA

Programs: Our summer program model aims to close the opportunity and achievement gaps for low-income middle school students by offering an engaging, supportive, and tuition-free summer learning program. The Aim High experience fosters critical thinking, instills academic habits, and cultivates a love of learning. Students participate in four rigorous academic classes in the mornings: Design Challenge, Book Club, Issues & Choices and Future Success. Aim High classes have a low student to teacher ratio, allowing for individual attention and a focus on project-based learning. In total, students receive over 60 hours of academic instruction over the course of the five-week program. In the afternoon, students participate in activities such as lacrosse, soccer, dance, photography, theater and different forms of student engagement. Students typically participate for three or four summers, and many return to teach in the program. Aim High continually evaluates feedback, assesses results, and shares best practices in order to deliver a high-quality program.