Higher Achievement Baltimore

Thanks to the support of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, our 8th-grade scholars had the opportunity to attend a 3-day overnight trip to Smith Island.

Scholars spent the weekend setting crab traps, fishing, marsh mucking, learning about local species and environmental stewardship, and even spotting dolphins. Experiences like these help young people build confidence, curiosity, teamwork, and a deeper connection to the world around them.

This spring we officially launched our first Family Navigator Session for 7th-grade students, in partnership with the Fund for Educational Excellence (FEE). This session was designed to create clarity, confidence, and direction for families and students as they navigate the complex high school landscape in Baltimore prior to the application process beginning in the fall.

Dr. Toni began the 90-minute session with a hands-on activity for students and families to identify their hopes and dreams for high school.

We are excited to announce that we have already awarded 8 scholarships for alumni through our Last Dollar Alumni Fund Scholarship, and applications are still being accepted!

This scholarship is designed to support alumni as they work toward college completion or finishing a trade program. Each year, we hear from alumni facing unexpected financial obstacles that can disrupt their progress. The Last Dollar Alumni Fund provides flexible financial support—up to $1,000—to help remove these barriers.

Learn more and apply on our website: https://ow.ly/p7ij50YWgxC

Aubrey recently celebrated a big win: earning a place in Bard High School Early College Baltimore’s incoming freshman class. Aubrey, an 8th-grade scholar at Higher Achievement Baltimore's Highlandtown Achievement Center, worked hard to secure this accomplishment while navigating doubts and challenges.

“When I finally got the letter saying that I had gotten in, it was shocking,” recalls Aubrey. “There was a line full of people wanting to get in, so being accepted to the school was a big thing to me.” Aubrey credits Higher Achievement with providing critical support during her preparation. “I don’t think I would have gotten into Bard without the help of Higher Achievement,” she says. “It’s a big accomplishment going to an early college school. I want to make my family proud, and I want to go to college, and I feel like getting into Bard is a big step forward in accomplishing my goals. I’m proud of myself.”

Higher Achievement places significant emphasis on developing high school readiness for scholars like Aubrey through academic enrichment, social-emotional skill-building, field trips, and mentoring. “At Higher Achievement, they’ve taught me that I don’t have to be scared to ask anyone for help. No one is going to see me as any less—they see me as a regular student who just needs help,” says Aubrey.

The experiences Aubrey has gained—and the confidence she has built—will continue to shape her as she pursues her goals in high school and beyond.

“A life lesson I’ve taken away from Higher Achievement is to not give up just because something doesn’t go right with you immediately. It’s one of the most important life lessons because every day can feel like a challenge, and sometimes you just want to give up. But I’ve learned if something is holding you back, you can’t give up.”

Read more on our blog: https://higherachievement.org/scholar-spotlight-aubrey/

Our Baltimore Centers have prioritized learning opportunities to support scholars' interests and needs through a partnership with Maryland Science Olympiad (MSO).

MSO offers our scholars engaging STEM lessons, and last month scholars put their lessons into action at a STEM tournament at Morgan State University.

We are proud to announce a new program investment that will extend Higher Achievement's support beyond 8th grade.

Our new Last Dollar Alumni Fund Scholarship provides flexible financial support, up to $1,000, to help Higher Achievement alumni overcome financial obstacles that may impact their ability to complete college. This fund is designed to remove barriers without the red tape often associated with traditional scholarships.

We are accepting applications now through August 21!

Apply today, or share with a Higher Achievement alumni: https://higherachievement.org/last-dollar-alumni-fund/

We’re excited to share that we’ve launched programming at a new site at Creative City Public Charter School! Our Creative City Achievement Center serves 4th and 5th-grade scholars with STEM-focused academic enrichment, social-emotional skill-building, and engaging electives that spark curiosity and build confidence. This programming helps Creative City scholars transition into and thrive in middle schools across West Baltimore—including Mt. Royal Elementary/Middle School, where they can continue with Higher Achievement and pursue their ambitions through Mt. Royal’s The Ingenuity Project.

During the first week of programming, scholars received personal journals and began learning how to take effective notes. During our academic sessions, we practiced solving unlike fractions, identifying common denominators, and finding least common multiples. Scholars also completed writing samples related to their future career goals. In addition, scholars were introduced to our Culture Houses, learned chants, and participated in Culture House competitions focused on teamwork and collaboration. Scholars also spent time reflecting on the content they learned throughout the week.

This expansion is possible because of the generous support of the Family League of Baltimore Their strategic community investments are helping to shape a more equitable educational landscape for students in Baltimore, and we are incredibly grateful for their support. We’re also grateful for our partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools and the dedicated team at Creative City, including Principal Mathena, Mr. MJ, and Mr. Ehan.

We couldn’t do this work without a community of champions standing with Baltimore’s students, and we invite you to join us as we grow this work.

This morning, Higher Achievement Baltimore Executive Director Dr. Toni Woodlon joined Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Baltimore community members and leaders to celebrate Harlem Park Elementary/Middle School's 30% reduction in chronic absenteeism last quarter.

We're honored to be part of the community supporting middle school students in our city. Together, we are creating safe, nurturing spaces where students can develop talents, gain confidence, and launch their bright futures.

Baltimore City Public Schools

Empowering Minds, Unlocking Potential! Higher Achievement Baltimore was thrilled to facilitate a joyful and inspiring conversation with our peers in support of first-generation college students in Baltimore. Mapping the journey to postsecondary attainment takes support, community, and access – thanks to the CollegeBound Foundation and Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust (B.E.S.T.) for bringing the group together!

Help us honor our 50-year history and build on our legacy of educational support through your tax-deductible year-end gift.

Gifts of all sizes make a tremendous impact: https://higherachievement.org/limitless/

Every elective, every mentoring group, and every field trip is possible because this community believes in a more equitable and just future for the next generation—and chooses to invest in it.