BREAKTHROUGH HOUSTON 2018 SUMMER IMPACT REPORT
Breakthrough’s mission is to prepare students who possess high academic potential, but limited educational resources, for competitive high school programs and college admission. In addition, we train talented college and high school students for careers in education.
3 MONTHS of LEARNING in just 6 WEEKS On average, Breakthrough students demonstrated 3 months of growth above their grade level on a national standardized reading test during Summer 2018
The beginning of summer might mark the end of learning for some students, but not for students at Breakthrough! During the six week summer program, Teaching Fellows utilize college preparatory pedagogical techniques such as socratic seminars to combat the pervasive “summer slide” phenomena and to prepare students for rigorous college preparatory high schools. In Reading classes, students were challenged to form and present their opinions on contemporary social issues through the study of literature classics such as Things Fall Apart, Ender’s Game, and Flying Lessons & Other Stories.
“THE LAB MADE IT EASY TO UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPTS BECAUSE I COULD ACTUALLY PICTURE IT AND SEE IT.”
Who said learning is limited to textbooks and lectures? At Breakthrough, Teaching Fellows constantly find new ways to engage students in activities that bring academic content to life. In 8th grade Chemistry classes this summer, students learned about electron bonding and chemical compounds through an engaging activity with Skittles. It was an informative class -- and a tasty one too!
AVERAGE POINT GROWTH ON PRE- AND POST-TEST ASSESSMENTS
MATH 29
SCIENCE 37
For the past few years, Matthias watched his older sister, Hanna, mysteriously disappear each day in the middle of summer vacation and return home filled with stories about classes and fun activities. Learning and fun in the same sentence? Matthias’ curiosity was piqued. This summer, Matthias, a rising 7th grader, joined Hanna on the ride to Breakthrough Houston each morning. Hanna, a rising 9th grader preparing to attend DeBakey High School, couldn’t be prouder. As an aspiring software engineer, Matthias’ favorite class this summer was his elective in computer science.
STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS
37%
98% 99% receive free or reduced priced lunch
do not speak English as a primary language at home
students of color
33% 65% would be 1st generation college students
raised in a single parent household
“BECAUSE OF THE HELP I GOT FROM BREAKTHROUGH, I WAS ABLE TO DO WELL IN MY CLASSES.” When she first joined Breakthrough Houston at the end of 6th grade, Noemi Ortega knew she was looking for an escape from the “drugs and fighting” she often saw in her neighborhood schools. Her family always prioritized getting a good education, but it was the safe, focused environment Noemi found at Breakthrough Houston that transformed her academic trajectory. This Fall, Noemi will be a rising 9th grader at DeBakey High School for Health Professions, one of the top ten high schools in the state of Texas. “I don’t think I would have gotten accepted without Breakthrough,” Noemi says.
97.5% of students strongly believe that Breakthrough Houston will help them be successful in high school
GROWING THE TEACHER PIPELINE When JB was in college, he had no idea what his plans were after graduation. After becoming a Breakthrough Teaching Fellow in the summers of 2014 and 2015, JB knew he found his passion. After college graduation, JB joined Teach For America and began teaching social studies at YES Prep Fifth Ward. This summer, JB served as a Writing Instructional Coach, inspiring a new group of future educators.
TEACHER DEMOGRAPHICS 78%
69%
38%
1 out of 3
5 out of 6Â
are non-education majors (including 29% STEM majors)
are teachers of color
are first generation college students
returned for their second summer
Instructional Coaches are former Teaching Fellows!
“I’M TEACHING STUDENTS FROM THE SAME TYPE OF COMMUNITIES I CAME FROM, SO I ALWAYS TELL MY STUDENTS THAT THEY CAN DO MORE THAN THEY THINK THEY CAN.” Chris Brown is not your typical economics and mathematics college student. As a rising senior at University of North Texas, Chris has spent his last two summers teaching algebra at Breakthrough Houston. Upon college graduation, Chris plans on teaching in a Title I school in Houston to continue inspiring others to dream big.
DEVELOPING CHARACTER & BUILDING COMMUNITY
At Breakthrough, achieving academic excellence is paired with developing character and citizenship through fun community building and reflection activities. Every afternoon, dedicated “family time” allows students to connect with their peers through group activities that encourage curiosity, grit, and responsibility. Each “family” at Breakthrough adopts a character strength throughout the summer and embodies the traits through friendly competitions, skits, and cheers.
87% OF STUDENTS REPORTED HAVING A STRONG CONNECTION WITH BREAKTHROUGH TEACHERS
STUDENTS DEMONSTRATED STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT GROWTH* IN: Self-control Sense of belonging at Breakthrough Houston Social-intelligence Zest
*AS MEASURED ON A BTH SOCIO-EMOTIONAL LEARNING INSTRUMENT
It was a summer of learning, both in and out of classrooms! Breakthrough Houston students and Teaching Fellows had opportunities to engage in leadership and community service activities throughout the city, learning about the importance of giving back and getting involved. Seventh graders ventured to Hermann Park to learn about protecting the environment while participating in team bonding experiences. After a long day of hard work and meaningful service, the students arrived back on campus tired but with hearts filled with pride.
“I LEARNED TO KEEP GOING EVEN THOUGH I WAS TIRED BECAUSE I WAS HELPING SOMEONE IN NEED.�
Service Day Sites Avondale House BARC Animal Shelter Buffalo Bayou Park Czech Center Museum Finca Tres Robles Hermann Park Centennial Garden Memorial Park Conservancy St. Dominic Village
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ADVISORY COUNCIL
HOMESTAY FAMILIES
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
ROLE MODEL SPEAKERS
James Stewart (Chair) Hollis Amley Jason S. Arnoldy Jason Bernal Bill Boyce Gisela Cherches Aisha Crumbine Rick A. Cruz Mark Dini Carolyn Dorros Anna Eastman Anshula Greene Beth Anne Gunn Dawn Hanson
María and Bill Boyce Trisha Cornwell Carolyn and Chris Dorros Laura Garwood Jennifer and Chris Laporte Isabelle and Eric Mayer Janice and Richard Moore MaryScott Hagle and Daniel Kornberg Chaille Hutcheson Anna Rotman and Bryan Sanchez Leslie and Shannon Sasser Eden and Gregg Sholeen Marcella and Dan Watkins
Alley Theatre Bellaire Richmond Pet Hospital Dillon Kyle Architects Harris County Court of Appeals Harris County Flood Control District The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts Houston Zoo 90.1 KPFT: Houston Pacifica Radio Rice University Texas Heart Institute TopSpot Internet Marketing
Religious Community Andy Parker Chava Gal-Or Cecilia Perez Sara Shams Patrick Garrett
Romelia Hinojosa Aileen Hogan Joanna S. Hughes Ronald Jackson Christopher L. Knapp Jennifer Laporte Ruthie J. Miller Richard Moore Nancy Kate Prescott Sarah Punches Mark C. Rodriguez Josh Schaffer Josephine Smith Allison Stasney Douglas Stewart
SCHOOL SPONSORS Mark Desjardins Nancy Eisenberg
MD Anderson Cancer Center Chelsea Pinnix Judge Mike Fields Lauren Byers Jennifer Davis Todd Litton Irene Tamí-Maury Abby Mitchell The Counted Child
STAFF Kathy Heinzerling Executive Director
Morris Nwogwugwu Student Services Director
Kathryn Huntsman Development Director
Stephanie Wilkinson Development Associate
W E
A R E
B R E A K T H R O U G H
AND WE COMMIT OURSELVES TO HARD WORK, DEDICATION, RESPECT, FUN, AND ABOVE ALL, EXCELLENCE IN LEARNING!