Christian & Small hosted 15 students and teachers from the first Higher Achievement Summer School class. Their visit was profiled by the education reporter Sarah Verser in her segment What’s Right in Our Schools.
The Higher Achievement Summer School is the brain child of Teach for America-Alabama teacher Justin Younkers, an eighth grade English teacher in Sumter County, Alabama.
Follow the students and see what they are studying, learning and exploring while in Birmingham. Visit Why We Do What We Do.
The Higher Achievement Summer School commits to the principles of leadership, scholarship, community, and responsibility in order to produce a well-rounded student capable of success in both high school and higher education.
Students living in the Black Belt of Alabama experience the educational injustice of the achievement gap during the traditional academic year as well as summer vacation. In the summer months, the students have few opportunities to build upon their education. As a result, HASS strives to fill the void. By the end of the intensive four-week experience, the 15 students students will make substantial academic gains along with the development of life skills necessary to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving society.
HASS students will spend one week of class in Sumter County and the three remaining weeks of class will take place in Birmingham, AL. The curriculum includes the complete analysis of two novels, a 6-8 page independently conducted research paper, IT skill building, a grammar boot camp, and a newly developed individualized math course.
These students will also have the opportunity to tour colleges and universities within the surrounding area, visit local attractions, and discover the culture of Birmingham.