Breakthrough Santa Fe Gears Up for 5th Summer Program

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

This year marks Breakthrough Santa Fe’s 5th summer in operation.  The program started on Prep’s campus in 2004 with 23 students, 8 teachers and 2 mentor teachers. Five years later, we will welcome 56 students, 16 teachers, 4 mentor teachers and 16 Breakthrough high school student interns to the summer program.

Rising 7th and 8th grade students from Santa Fe schools will spend six-weeks studying Literature, Math, Science and History in small learning communities. Their academics will be supplemented by a host of electives and special events, such as Career Day, a camping trip and the end of the summer Celebration. The goal is to prepare them for the rigors of middle school and to launch them on a college prep track.

One of the program’s greatest strengths is the model of Students Teaching Students. High school and college students from local and national schools teach during the six-week summer program. This summer, 4 Breakthrough high school students will return to teach during the session.

Breakthrough Collaborative is celebrating their 30th anniversary in supporting under-served public school students around the country. The Santa Fe site is funded by a host of generous foundations, corporations and individuals. Santa Fe Prep hosts the program and offers both in-kind and financial support while the Santa Fe Public Schools provides summer transportation and snack foods.