Transforming Communities though Service: A Collection of the Most Innovative AmeriCorps State and Volunteer Generation Fund Programs in the United States _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
An active alumni group Higher Achievement is committed to increasing the support offered to alumni, to further promote the college and career readiness of Higher Achievement scholars. The program is focusing on: Dedicating an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer to high school alumni support systems Strengthening a Leadership Council for high school alumni and Alumni Council for posthigh school alumni Planning the second annual alumni workshop, featuring college access and other local service providers
Secrets to Success Higher Achievement’s proven and successful model is based on its theory of change. The program showers scholars with academic opportunities—three academic mentors per scholar, an accelerated, hands-on curriculum centered on social justice themes, university stays, academic contests, and top school placement and scholarships. These opportunities, unmatched in most out-of-school time programs, set into motion a virtuous cycle of achievement in which opportunities increase interest, interest increases effort, effort increases achievement, and achievement leads to additional opportunities. Higher Achievement is further grounded by a culture of Spirit, Excellence, Respect, and Collaboration. Each day at Center, scholars learn to hold each other accountable, speak with confidence and lead by example. Scholars are instructed to stand when addressing a group, speak clearly, and challenge each other with follow-up questions. Higher Achievement also maximizes community resources, by utilizing 520 volunteer mentors who commit to working with our scholars once each week.
33