Our Program

Inspiring Students, Developing Teachers

THE HEART OF THE BREAKTHROUGH MODEL IS HIGH EXPECTATIONS COUPLED WITH HIGH SUPPORT

We achieve this through a positive learning environment formed by relationships between college-aged teaching fellows and students from middle and high schools.

Breakthrough recruits and trains teaching fellows from more than 250 colleges and universities to lead residencies during the summer months and out-of-school time throughout the school year. 

A NATIONAL MODEL TAILORED TO EACH REGION

For over 40 years, we’ve learned that with rigorous curricula and training, coupled with the agility to address the specific needs of each community, we can ensure all students gain access to great opportunities. That’s why our 24 affiliates are supported by the Collaborative national team, and independently operated and positioned to respond to the unique needs of their students, teachers, and families. Each affiliate can customize its programming to best fit its community,  and our core standards of the Breakthrough model are consistent at every site. This includes:

A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROMOTE ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND PERSONAL GROWTH AMONG OUR NATION’S MOST PROMISING YOUNG PEOPLE

• Six Years of Year-Round Student Support: Beginning in middle school and continuing for more than six years, Breakthrough students benefit from year-round program opportunities. Students are supported in both their academic and social-emotional learning that leads to college admission. By starting early, and walking the path with students through their pivotal development from sixth grade all the way through graduation, we help them prepare for college and beyond.
• Extended Learning Opportunities: Breakthrough provides educational experiences that go beyond the traditional school day and school year. To ensure our students are fully prepared for the rigor of college, our affiliates offer academically challenging summer programs, after-school tutoring, weekend enrichment programs, test preparation, college and financial counseling, and individualized college guidance.

NEAR PEER TEACHING FELLOWSHIP

Students from under-resourced communities are more successful when inspired by teachers with similar backgrounds, and our nation is facing a shortage of teachers, especially from diverse backgrounds. During our summer programming, Breakthrough provides a teaching fellowship residency that offers relevant, real-world training to a diverse group of college undergraduates, inspiring many to develop an interest in education careers. This mutually beneficial relationship creates a generation of inspired students and a pipeline of experienced leaders.

• Professional Mentoring for Aspiring Teachers: To prepare aspiring teachers for real-life classroom experiences, we pair them with professional educators, who serve as instructional coaches and mentors. Our teaching fellows receive a minimum of 100 hours of in-classroom teaching experience, curriculum support, and professional guidance. As the largest pre-service teacher training program in the nation, our challenging teaching residency was created to give undergraduates considering careers in education the extensive and personalized experience they need to succeed.

BUILDING BRIDGES IN COMMUNITIES

By bringing together public schools, independent schools, higher education institutions and community partners, Breakthrough maximizes every community’s best educational resources for the benefit of all.