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In too many neighborhoods
education beyond high school is a
dream, even for the most motivated
students. Mired in violent crime,
substance abuse, and unemployment,
education often takes a back seat to
life’s basic necessities. The irony is that
education is the most viable path out
of poverty. In Washington, 35 percent
of teens live below the poverty line and
50 percent leave school before earning a
high school diploma. Only nine percent
of D.C. public school students will
graduate from college.
Higher Achievement reverses these
odds for hundreds of children every
year. For 33 years, Higher Achievement
has challenged middle-school students
from underserved areas
with rigorous academics
after school and during
summers. The program has
served over 10,000 scholars
and produced thousands
of first-generation college
graduates. |
Higher Achievement
partners with local schools
and establishes centers
that help students achieve
educational excellence by
improving grades, test scores and academic
behaviors. Last year, 100 percent of scholars
improved their test scores by an average
rate of 20 percent. By investing more than
650 hours a year for four years in the
program, scholars obtain more than just
improved performance.
They access countless
opportunities, improve their confidence,
and gain acceptance into some of the most
prestigious high schools in the area including
Sidwell Friends, Gonzaga, Madeira, and
Banneker. Scholars graduate from Higher
Achievement equipped for success in high
school, college, and beyond.
As a former teacher, I am passionate about
closing the achievement gap. I learned about
Higher Achievement after relocating to the
area to become Freddie Mac’s executive vice
president and chief business officer. |
Inspired by Higher Achievement’s dedication to
academic excellence, I joined the board of
directors two years ago and have seen the organization grow and succeed. Now as president-elect of the board, one of my goals is to help launch the organization to the next level of operation and funding. I
decided to chair the Higher Achievement
Going Places! Gala, the organization’s first
fundraising event, to help make this goal
a reality. In keeping with a long history
of corporate citizenship, Freddie Mac
supports my participation and has signed
on as a Presenting Sponsor of the event.
The Going Places! Gala, to be held May
15, 2008, at The Willard Intercontinental
Hotel, was set in motion by the
momentum created by CharityWorks,
which chose Higher Achievement as its
2006 partner. The partnership between
CharityWorks and Higher Achievement
leveraged critical funds and support to
help Higher Achievement expand and
enhance services.
I see the Going Places! Gala as a
testament to the success the scholars’
success. I urge community partners,
champions, and other stakeholders to join
me in helping Higher Achievement continue
its valuable work. Proceeds from the gala will
benefit alumni outreach as well as programs
for the next generation of scholars. As a
national model for academic achievement
during out-of-school time, demand for its
services is growing which has triggered
expansion planning in the area. The future is
bright for Higher Achievement.
SAVE THE DATE
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MAY 15TH
Going Places Gala
For more information contact Lynsey
Wood Jeffries at 202-544-3633 ext.131
or visit www.higherachievement.org
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