Breakthrough Greater Boston (BTGB) is a year-round, tuition-free program that offers ten years of academically intensive out-of-school time services to highly motivated, traditionally underserved middle and high school students in greater Boston.
BTGB believes in the power of beginning our work with students in middle school and offering continuous support as they work towards achieving their goal of college. Breakthrough’s High School Program is made up of four program components: Academic Support, Summer Programming, College Access Program, and Advocacy.
Academic Support
BTGB’s High School After School Program incorporates best practices and research-based evidence in supporting students as they transition to high school. We provide 9th and 10th-grade students with a structured afterschool academic environment where they can build good study habits, receive homework assistance, and continue to connect with their college-going cohort.
One-on-one academic mentoring continues to be available for students throughout high school. Students who require additional support are matched with trained volunteers who serve as tutors in core subjects such as math, literature, science, and social studies.
Academic Support
BTGB’s High School After School Program incorporates best practices and research-based evidence in supporting students as they transition to high school. We provide 9th and 10th-grade students with a structured afterschool academic environment where they can build good study habits, receive homework assistance, and continue to connect with their college-going cohort.
One-on-one academic mentoring continues to be available for students throughout high school. Students who require additional support are matched with trained volunteers who serve as tutors in core subjects such as math, literature, science, and social studies.
Summer Programming
Leadership Academy is a unique summer program that allows rising 9th grade Breakthrough students to return for the summer to strengthen the academic and leadership skills they will need to make a smooth transition to high school in the fall.
Breakthrough’s College Prep Institute provides intensive support with the college application process for rising 12th grade students; through dedicated work time, workshops, and conferences with Breakthrough staff, Breakthrough seniors are able to complete significant portions of their applications and get a jump start on the financial aid and scholarship application processes.
In addition to participation in Breakthrough summer programming, BTGB staff work with each student to ensure they have a thoughtful summer plan each year during high school. Through Breakthrough’s Summer Exploration and Opportunities Program (SEOP), Breakthrough staff members work with each current high Breakthrough student to identify and apply for enrichment and internship opportunities for the summer.
College Access Program
The College Access Program provides hands-on assistance to guide students through the process of applying to and matriculating to a college or university. Starting in 11th grade, the High School Team works with each student’s family and guidance counselor to manage the college application and financial aid processes.
Each student is provided a College Access Coach who works one-on-one to assist in researching schools and creating a college list, arranging college visits, completing college application forms, and writing and revising admissions essays. With the help of partner organizations, Breakthrough students have access to free/affordable test prep options and expert advice in completing financial aid forms and analyzing financial aid awards.
College Access Program
The College Access Program provides hands-on assistance to guide students through the process of applying to and matriculating to a college or university. Starting in 11th grade, our High School Team works with each student’s family and guidance counselor to manage the college application and financial aid processes.
Each student is provided a College Access Coach who works one-on-one to assist in researching schools and creating a college list, arranging college visits, completing college application forms, and writing and revising admissions essays. With the help of partner organizations, Breakthrough students have access to free/affordable test prep options and expert advice in completing financial aid forms and analyzing financial aid awards.
Advocacy
Similar to the middle school years, BTGB staff members are in regular communication with high school students and their families to ensure that students are doing well both inside and outside the classroom. Through regular check-ins, students are connected to academic supports in the form of one-on-one tutoring, advice about choosing a challenging yet manageable course schedule, assistance with finding enriching, affordable summer and extracurricular opportunities, and ways to stay involved with Breakthrough as a Teaching Fellow, Academic Mentor, or summer intern.
Breakthrough also advocates for students within their high schools by tracking students’ academic progress and meeting with guidance counselors, teachers, and administrators to determine how to best support each individual student.