Causes: Camps, Sports

Mission: Our mission is to aid and encourage intellectually gifted, at-risk middle school through high school students to reach their full potential and become leaders equipped to help others in similar economic and social situations.

Results: As of Summer 2021, Jacob's Ladder has had 454 Climbers (our nickname for students) go through the program. We currently have 47 middle school Climbers and 52 high school Climbers. 100% of the Jacob’s Ladder Climbers completing the full program cycle have graduated from high school. Of these graduates, 94% have enrolled in college and they have received more than $16+ million in scholarships. Several Climbers are also serving our country in the Armed Forces. The nation’s top rated schools have Climbers currently attending or are recent graduates of: Stanford, Yale, Brown, Dartmouth, University of Pennsylvania, University of Chicago, Georgetown University, College of William & Mary, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, and University of Richmond to name a few.

Target demographics: Intellectually gifted, at-risk middle and high school age boys and girls

Direct beneficiaries per year: Forty-seven students through our four week residential-enrichment-summer camp and year-round advocacy program, as well as fifty-two high school students with mentoring and advocacy.

Geographic areas served: Virginia

Programs: Offering a year-round enrichment and advocacy program, bolstered by a summer enrichment camp, middle school students receive support to foster their intellectual, social, emotional and physical development. Our high school advocacy program provides mentoring to assist with challenges, course selections, scholarship opportunities, and the college application process.