Higher Achievement

Mission: Mission:

Higher Achievement is an academic enrichment program focused on the critical middle school transition. Leveraging volunteer mentors, Higher Achievement supports its scholars year-round from 5th - 8th grade, culminating in placement in college preparatory high school programs.

Program Description: Program Description:

Higher Achievement offers small-group academic mentoring in math and humanities/ELA for middle grade students. It has been the subject of two randomized controlled trial studies by MDRC, both of which demonstrated positive academic effects.

Type of service
Tutoring Program
Academic Intervention
Website Address
http://www.higherachievement.org
Year Started
1975
Headquarter Location (City, State)
Washington DC
States of Operation
Maryland,
Virginia,
Washington DC,
Virtual
Operation Locations
Washington DC, Alexandria VA, Prince Georges County MD, Baltimore MD, Richmond VA
Most recent number of students served
600
Subject Offered
English Language Arts (ELA),
Math,
Reading
Grade Levels
5th Grade,
6th Grade,
7th Grade,
8th Grade
Languages Offered
English
Percentage of tutors who can speak a language other than English
20% speak Spanish, roughly
Race/Ethnicity breakdown of tutors
15% Hispanic/Latino, 55% Black or African American, 30% White
Setting
During School,
Out of School
Delivery Mode
Blended,
In-Person,
Virtual
Tutor-Student Ratio
1:3
Number of Sessions Per Week
3
Number of Minutes Per Session
60
Number of Weeks Per Program
32
Does your program engage with parents?
Yes
Family Engagement Description

Interview families before admission to Higher Achievement, family advising 3x per year to support eventual placement in college preparatory high schools and to build navigational capital.

Organization Type
Nonprofit
Customer Type
District, Parent, School, Student
Cost to District/ School/ Non-Profit
Varies. Roughly $1000
Type of Tutor
Tutoring Staff, Volunteer
Randomized controlled trial (RCT) study conducted?
Yes
RCT Citation

https://www.mdrc.org/project/higher-achievement-evaluation#overview

RCT effect size
0,2
Quasi-experimental (QED) study conducted?
No
Contact Email
ljeffries@higherachievement.org
Contact Name
Lynsey Wood Jeffries