6 • Grit Meets Guidance Grit Meets Guidance Heights surrounds Philly youth with an end-to-end ecosystem of support, pairing dedicated advising with direct financial assistance at every critical milestone. Beginning in middle school and extending into early career success, our embedded team delivers customized guidance to help scholars navigate academic transitions, unlock opportunities, and achieve long-term economic mobility. MIDDLE SCHOOL: Building Foundations & High School Selection During middle school, Heights places a strong emphasis on navigating critical transition points. In partner School District of Philadelphia middle schools, our embedded teams guide students through high school selection, offering workshops that prepare young people to claim their pathways early. In 2025–2026, Heights served 805 middle school students. STEPPINGSTONE ACADEMY A long-standing cornerstone program, Steppingstone Academy works with students starting in fourth grade — providing rigorous academic enrichment, independent and criteria-based school application support, and multi-year advising through college. Steppingstone Academy is fully endowed thanks to the generosity of the Hess Foundation. In 2025–2026, Heights served 120 students in Steppingstone Academy. High School: Cohort Support & Systemic Access In high school, cohorts of up to 25 students per grade receive personalized advising from dedicated Heights staff across our partner high schools. Programming includes school-wide college and career advising, financial planning, and targeted academic and career enrichment. In 2025–2026, Heights served 3,002 high school students. College & Beyond: Degree Completion & Career Mobility Heights ensures that student grit is matched by persistent structural support through higher education. Collegians receive 1:1 advising, career pathing, stipend support, and direct connections to paid internships and post-secondary opportunities. In 2025–2026, Heights served 654 collegians across 73 colleges and universities, and delivered $865,000 in grants, scholarships, stipends, and opportunity funds. 2026 Graduation Celebration: Championing Student Success and Mobility Standing before a sea of students wearing orange and blue stoles, 12th grade student speaker Farheen Abdullah captured the true spirit of resilience and community at our 2026 Graduation Celebration, which celebrated nearly 1,000 Heights graduates at Citizens Bank Park on Friday, June 12: “When I faced rejection after rejection, I started questioning whether all my hard work was enough. Heights became so much more than a college-access program — my advisors were always there when anxiety took over, reminding me that setbacks couldn’t define my future. Heights taught me that soaring isn’t about having a perfect path; it’s finding the strength to keep moving forward. With their support through a long financial aid process, I’m attending Northwestern University this fall to study Computer Science, paying only about $200 out of pocket each year. Soaring isn’t simply about how far you fly, but about how high you’re willing to rise after every setback.” — Farheen Abdullah, Class of 2026 Student Speaker, Northeast High School Also taking the stage to introduce the graduating 8th grade class, 12th grade student speaker Abdallah Sumrein highlighted how Heights becomes a transformative resource for whole families: “Heights didn’t just support me, it supported my whole family with guidance and provided opportunities that connected us to a community that actually cares about us. My advice to the 8th graders is to say yes to opportunities, even when you’re nervous. Ask questions, don’t rush through high school, and take every chance to explore who you are. Heights gives you those chances to their fullest potential — and I am firsthand evidence that everything is possible.” — Abdallah Sumrein, Class of 2026 Student Speaker, Lincoln High School Pillar 1: Pillar 1: College and Career Advising
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